Walk to venue during ZITF: Govt

  The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair will see increased parking costs and shuttle services implemented by the government in an effort to deter drivers from traveling to the main exhibition site. Thomas Utete Wushe, the permanent secretary for Industry and Commerce, made the announcement this week when he made fun of diplomats for walking to and from the ZITF exposition center during this week's European Union Private Sector Dialogue Seminar in Harare. According to him, the action was taken as part of the government's plan to lessen carbon emissions at the nation's largest exposition.  

  The exhibition at the ZITF Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo is scheduled to run from April 23 to April 27. Wushe stated in an interview with NewsDay that the government's aim to further the fight against climate change served as the driving force for the action."We wish to avoid using our cars excessively. He declared, "We're going to encourage people to use shuttle services to get to and from hotels. It will be beneficial in two ways. First off, our need for parking would be reduced. Second, it will lessen the venue's carbon footprint at ZITF.  

“The other thing is we are going to be encouraging people to walk within the show grounds. Very few vehicles will be allowed to drive into the exhibition area so that people walk. So, if you go there, you can enjoy the show.” He noted that parking fees for the showcase were being worked out by ZITF organizers in collaboration with provincial leadership and government representatives. Parking will be difficult, therefore that is the nature of the issue. But the provincial government will have the last say on everything. "Our goal is to deter vehicles from entering the arena, which will prevent a parking shortage. We urge people to walk or even use shuttles to get to the event," he stated. The 64th edition of ZITF is anticipated to offer a rainbow of prospects for the engine of innovation, job creation, and sustainable development, according to the organizers. The theme of the show is "Innovation as the Catalyst for Industrialization and Trade."