The Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative Society of Zambia-ACSZ says it is confident that the 94th edition of the Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show, which will commence on Wednesday 27 July 2022 to 1st August 2022 will be highly successful.
ACSZ President Duncan Mfula said the 2022 trade show and exhibition would be successful in terms of the quality products on show, attendance numbers and the level of national and continental building discussions that the society engaged upon.
Speaking during a press briefing attended by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mfula said this will be 6 days of high-level business networking, engagements and entertainment, adding that in terms of space utilization, most of the spaces have been subscribed. The Society President revealed that over 20 foreign countries and international visitors are expected to participate.
Mfula explained that the estimated exhibition area of 14 hectares housing 75 small single purpose buildings as well as indoor facilities such as Jubilee hall, Jubilee gardens, Zambia hall, Andrew Hamaamba, Young Farmers, Agricultural hall, Chinese pavilion and outdoor space on the grounds is expected to attract slightly over 1,000 floor users as exhibitors.
He noted that majority of the exhibitors are SMEs who will account for 55% participation mostly in outdoor spaces and the society expects direct and indirect exhibitors to participate adding that corporates have taken up space in most of the small buildings along with government, ministries and government agencies.
The Society President mentioned that over 20 foreign countries and international visitors are expected to Participate and confirmed participation and pending enquiries from countries include Burundi, Botswana, Cameron, China, Egypt, DRC, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Mfula added that Zimbabwe is expected to have at least 30 exhibitors, while China will have 110 companies exhibiting and the Chinese government through its embassy here in Zambia is exhibiting as the country of honour adding that all this has been through the effort of the ACSZ board and management by way of making visits to embassies accredited to Zambia..
He noted that with regards local participation, 65% of exhibitors came from Lusaka while 35% came from remaining parts of Zambia and other countries.
Mfula said Memorandum of Understanding between stakeholders are expected to be signed during the show, these involves ACSZ and Chinese chamber, ZACCI and Chinese chamber among others and several meetings during the show are expected to culminate into increased cooperation and investment among stakeholders.
He mentioned that the official opening ceremony and the guest of honour for this year’s show is the President Hakainde Hichilema and the official opening ceremony of the show will be held on Sunday 31 July 2022.
