Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE
Tarikh/Date : 29/04/94
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE 1994
ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
His Excellency Robert Mugabe,
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe;
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Government
of Zimbabwe and the organisers of this Fair for inviting me
to the official launching of the 1994 Zimbabwe International
Trade Fair, a premier trade event in Africa. I had the
privilege of touring the Fair ground this morning and I am
impressed with the number of foreign companies and countries
participating in the Fair which reflects the effort of the
organisers.
2. The 1994 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair has an added
significance for the city and people of Bulawayo, since
Bulawayo this year is also celebrating its Centenary. May I
congratulate the City of Bulawayo and its people for the
achievements of the last 100 years and wish them prosperity
for the years ahead.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. Most of the well-known and well-patronised
international trade fairs are held in the developed
countries. These trade fairs are largely private sector
undertakings with minimal State involvement. They promise
extensive business contacts between participants and
visitors. Producers from both developed and developing
countries await these events for they realise that by
participating, they will generally obtain reasonable
exposure and reap monetary returns. In short, participation
in international trade fairs has been adopted by many as an
effective marketing instrument.
4. On the other hand, international trade fairs held in
developing countries are lesser known, especially to
producers of other developing countries. This is partly due
to the uncertainty over market prospects. Indeed, the lack
of information on the absorptive capacities and production
capabilities of each other, has hampered trade relations
among developing countries. It is for this reason that the
G-15 has established the South Investment, Trade and
Technology Data Exchange Centre (SITTDEC) in Kuala Lumpur to
enable entrepreneurs in developing countries to have access
to relevant information that would enable them to identify
new markets and sources of supplies.
5. The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair is an important
showcase for exporters of countries of the South with
products for the markets in the region. It provides a
relevant marketplace for the businessmen to meet and
interact with one another to identify areas of common
interest and to enhance South-South Cooperation.
6. There are certainly many areas of economic activities
where producers in developing countries can be competitive
globally. However due to various reasons, among them lack
of knowledge of market opportunities and appropriate
technology, preoccupation with the domestic market, and
overdependence on traditional foreign buyers and suppliers,
their resilience has been undermined and their horizon
narrowed. Many developing countries, and even those
clasified as least developed, are rich in natural resources.
If countries with lesser endowment can attain developed
economic status, there is no reason to believe that
countries of the South cannot attain a greater degree of
development.
7. I am happy to note that the government of Zimbabwe,
through its various agencies, is an active partner in the
organisation of the 1994 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
Support from the government in terms of publicity undertaken
by the Zimbabwean Missions overseas, and the facilitating of
movement of foreign exhibits and participants at the Customs
and Immigration borders have contributed to the successful
organisation of this Fair. I am confident that more foreign
participation will be forthcoming in the future. This will
augur well for Zimbabwe. Foreign participants to this Fair
will be exploring not only export opportunities, but also
import and investment possibilities in Zimbabwe. It is my
hope that interactions and discussions between the Trade
Fair participants and trade visitors will extend beyond the
short period we are here. There is so much that they can
learn from each other that can be mutually beneficial.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. I understand that the Government of Zimbabwe is making
all efforts to liberalise the economy and trade regime in
line with current global trade liberalisation measures. The
Economic Structural Adjustment Programme of Zimbabwe is
indeed a move in the right direction and we in Malaysia
support it. Furthermore, Zimbabwe is a member of the
Southern African Development Community and the Preferential
Trade Area, which has a combined population of 200 million.
This offers tremendous potential for investment and trade
for businessmen from outside this region. Zimbabwe
certainly has enough attributes to become one of the major
gateways to this region.
9. To all foreign participants, I wish that your trip to
Bulawayo is a profitable one and hope that your presence
here will enhance trade relations between Zimbabwe and the
countries you are representing. To all Zimbabwean
participants, I would urge you to consider participating
actively in international trade fairs in other developing
countries, so that your capabilities to supply to their
needs can also be better known.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
10. It is now my honour to declare open the 1994 Zimbabwe
International Trade Fair.
|
|