Hachipuka outlines challenges of Trade Fair grounds

Zambia International Trade Fair Chairman Emmanuel Hachipuka says the Trade Fair has been facing a lot of challenges that has degraded the quality of the show.

Mr Hachipuka said this during a press briefing at the Trade Fair pavilion in Ndola today.

Mr Hachipuka said though the new management that has been put in place is trying to change the standards of the show, it will not manage to change everything at once because the Trade Fair grounds needed a face lift.

“When we took over from the previous management, we found that the Trade Fair had a lot of challenges and this had degraded the quality of the show. In order to improve things here, we need an equity partner to change the infrastructure at the trade fair.

We want to deliver a better trade fair that will not be a one week off fair but a continuous one where companies can exhibit throughout the year,” he said.

He said this year’s Trade fair will start on June 26 and will end on July 2 adding that 242 local exhibitors had expressed interest in participating at the trade fair while 12 foreign exhibitors have so far confirmed participation.

Mr Hachipuka said by June 21 management was expecting more exhibitors both local and foreign to confirm their participation in the show.

He said Zambia Railways will be exhibiting at this year’s show adding that the mini train is back which will make the show more exciting.

“As a country we have a challenge with vendors, so what we have done is to build a wall and we are going to confine vendors in one designated place and we are not going to allow the sale of alcohol.

We have not changed the gate charges from last year’s fees, children will pay KR5 and adults KR 10,” he said.