Small-Scale Merchandisers in Zambia: Received a Promotion from the Yearly Zambia International Trade Fair

By Abdul Rahman Bangura–

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone – Augustine Chisanga 45, has exuberantly partaken in this year’s fair to promote his business and expand its customer base.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to showcase my traditional crafts to a wider audience. The trade fair has provided a platform for me to network and broaden my customer base,” Chisanga explained.

Joyce Mulenga, a 60-year-old traditional food trader, from Kitwe, similarly in Copperbelt Province, promoted the importance of the trade fair in animating her business.

“Participating in the trade fair has given me a chance to realize more profits from my business as it has enabled me to introduce my traditional food products to a wider audience, allowing me to generate more income,” Mulenga raved.

She got on to thank organizers of the event for providing small-scale traders spaces to vend their product to trade fair visitors.

Mulenga’s beliefs were sounded by Katherine Kasongo, 46, a fruit vendor from Ndola who expanded that the trade fair has constantly illustrated tremendous chances for small-scale businesses such as hers to make more revenues.

“That is why I am always looking forward to the trade fair. It is always a gamechanger for my business,” Kasongo said.

This year marks 57 years of the Zambia International Trade Fair. This year’s trade fair commenced on June 28 and ended on July 4.

The event, which was clasped with the theme of “Stimulating economic development through partnerships, trade and investments,” interested exhibitors across all sectors of the economy.

It was officially inaugurated by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Saturday, underscoring the meaning of sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing which are important for Zambia’s economic development.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent