PREPARATIONS for the inaugural Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo are at an advanced stage, with China Tobacco International leading global delegations to Harare. This historic event will bring together leading players from across the global tobacco value chain, marking a major milestone in strengthening trade and knowledge exchange between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China. Already, China Tobacco International has confirmed attendance alongside multiple companies from its extensive value chain.
Over 30 Zimbabwean companies have also registered, with exhibition space rapidly filling up. “China remains Zimbabwe’s largest single tobacco buyer, accounting for about 100 million kilogrammes annually, nearly one-third of our crop,” said Emmanuel Matsvaire, the TIMB chief executive officer. “This expo provides a rare opportunity to connect Zimbabwean growers and industry stakeholders with Chinese innovations that can address our challenges and drive value addition.” lOctober 16 (morning): Business Forum featuring the Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development ministry and the Industry and Commerce ministry.
lOctober 16-17: Exhibitions, live demonstrations, buyer-seller meetings, networking sessions, and signing ceremonies. Confirmed participants include tobacco merchants, processors, cigarette manufacturers, financiers, input suppliers, insurers, logistics providers and researchers from Zimbabwe, China, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. A key focus will be on sustainable tobacco curing technologies.