Companies Strike Lucrative Deals at Zimbabwe Trade FairThe five-day Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) ends Saturday amid concerns that the country’s sliding economy almost devastated the annual event. Some exhibitors told Studio 7 they struck some lucrative deals at the show being held in the nation’s second largest city, Bulawayo, despite the current harsh economic environment in Zimbabwe. A representative of South Africa’s Ministry of Commerce, Adrian Adams, and Carolyn Chirima of BazTech told Studio 7 they are happy with the deals struck at the showcase. Chirima said her company managed to discuss a lot of business issues with local and international buyers. No media source currently available But Bulawayo businessman, Sam Ncube, said this year’s fair appeared to be subdued compared to last year due to the current harsh economic situation in the country. Zambian president Edgar Lungu, who officially opened the show Thursday, said the fair came at a time when regional leaders are encouraging the exportation of finished products to other nations. The annual event running under the theme: ‘Stimulating Trade: Seizing Opportunities to Accelarate Growth’, is being attended by hundreds of local exhibitors and some countries including Japan, Switzerland, Indonesia, China, South Africa and others. Zimbabwe’s economy has been slowly sliding due to lack of foreign direct investment and related issues.