The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has partnered with the COMESA Business Council (CBC) and the International Training Centre (ITC) to undertake a three-day workshop that is aimed to provide training to export-ready businesses, particularly micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Zimbabwe. The three-day seminar is scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 May 2023, with admission being free of charge. The training will provide market intelligence to SMEs in Zimbabwe who are exporting and those that are ready to export in the region and beyond. The training is being implemented in Six COMESA Member States, one of which is Zimbabwe.
This three-day workshop will help businesses to simplify their market research and the identification of new opportunities. Using the African Trade Observatory (ATO) business intelligence dashboard, participants will review the fundamentals of market analysis and put their skills into practice identifying and comparing opportunities across various sectors and markets. Participants will be able to evaluate the attractiveness of export opportunities across markets and learn how to turn this information into a data-driven market entry strategy. The training will cover topics related to trade statistics for tracking import demand and growth; export potential forecasts for the coming 4 years; applied tariffs and relevant rules of origin; regulatory requirements; domestic tax information; and private sustainability standards for reaching market niche.
ZNCC, CBC and the ITC, among other development partners, aim to build capacity for the private sector within the exportable sectors of the economy to critically analyze and make informed decisions when doing business beyond borders. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), among others, are markets that need to be exploited to derive maximum benefits from trade creation. It is prudent to note that most businesses, especially MSMEs, lack the analytical capacity to analyze external markets and predict the future course of trade. Thus, this training seeks to build and strengthen capacity among small firms that are export ready to be able to analyze and predict external market trends.
Despite the country recording a positive current account for a prolonged period since the third quarter of 2023, the trade balance still remains in the negative territory. Zimbabwe is importing more than it is exporting and the destination markets are mainly the neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. However, other countries like the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands have emerged to be favourable destinations for Zimbabwean products like mineral and horticultural commodities. Revamping exports is crucial in the country’s export-led growth agenda and foreign currency generation.
The training targets mostly MSMEs, but large corporations within the export businesses are also welcome to participate. Registration details can be forwarded to ZNCC: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or virtual registration on the link provided: https://comesabusinesscouncil.typeform.com/ato-zimbabwe