President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart Michael Sata admire products at a South African company stand during a tour of stands at ZITF yesterday. Looking on is an official of the company Mr Zameer Mohammed (far left), South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Elizabeth Thabethe and Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube .

AFRICAN companies need to be innovative and adapt to the changing business environment to compete on the global market, Zambian President Michael Sata has said.

Officially opening the 2012 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair here yesterday, President Sata said Africa needs to develop sustainable economies through value addition.

He told thousands of people at the ZITF grounds that there was need for local companies to develop entrepreneurship skills and value addition strategies to improve the quality of their products.

“The importance of trade fairs cannot be overemphasised as it is through such events that businesses interact and disseminate information on new business ideas.

“We need to explore ways of developing new technology and research. Allow me to challenge companies here to develop innovative ideas and adapt to the changing business environment in order to compete in the global market and achieve sustainable development.”

President Sata said the theme of this year’s showcase embodied the need for African countries to develop their own sustainable economies.

“I have toured the stands and I am impressed by the quality of the exhibitions.

“The theme of the trade fair ‘Investing locally, reaping globally’ is very appropriate as it compels us to focus on expanding and improving our own production capacities so that we have a share in the global economy,” he said.

“Promoting local entrepreneurship and value addition in our operations is an integral and significant component in business.”

President Sata reiterated the importance of investing in agriculture, saying the sector was the backbone of African economies.

“As businesses interact, let us remember that agriculture needs to be prioritised.

“The agriculture sector is the sole employer for a majority of our people and is the source of food security.

“Zambia and Zimbabwe are the breadbasket of the region hence it is imperative to enhance agricultural productivity in order to alleviate poverty,” said President Sata.

“I wish to underscore the importance of reciprocal participation in each other’s trade fairs. We have a number of Zambian companies participating here and we also invite Zimbabwean companies to participate in our trade fair and agricultural show in June and August respectively.”

Pomp and fanfare gripped the ZITF Show Grounds when President Mugabe arrived with President Sata ahead of the official opening ceremony.

As soon as the Presidential motorcade arrived with the two leaders being driven in a vintage car, the crowd burst into excitement and shouted as others whistled and ululated.

President Sata inspected a guard of honour, the highest honour given to a visiting Head of State, before the start of the main proceedings.

Meanwhile, President Sata returned home yesterday afternoon.

He was seen off by President Mugabe, Vice President Joice Mujuru, Vice President John Landa Nkomo, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe, Cabinet Ministers, service chiefs and senior Government officials at the JMN Nkomo Airport.

A few minutes later, President Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe also flew back to Harare.