Zimbabwe will host a high-level business forum next week aimed at transforming the country’s tobacco sector, bringing together top government officials, Chinese investors and value chain players from across the world at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
The event, scheduled for October 16, forms part of the inaugural Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo, which seeks to strengthen bilateral trade and promote value addition in the country’s largest agricultural export.
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious J. Masuka said in a statement yesterday that the forum will mark “a defining moment in the country’s tobacco transformation journey.”
“We are proud to host this landmark engagement with our partners from China and other global players.
This forum is not just about celebrating past success, but about shaping a new era of investment, technology transfer, and value addition within Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry,” Minister Masuka added
He said the Expo would help Zimbabwe move closer to its goal of processing at least 30 percent of its tobacco locally by 2025, in line with the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan.
“For decades, Zimbabwe has exported raw leaf and imported finished products.
This business forum will help us change that narrative. Our farmers, processors, and manufacturers must now benefit fully from the value of what they produce,” Dr Masuka added
Representatives from China Tobacco International and other firms are expected to discuss new markets, sustainable curing technologies, and financing models for smallholder growers.
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) acting Chief Executive Emmanuel Matsvaire said the forum would link farmers and investors.
“We have increased production significantly, but we now need to secure consistent markets and encourage investment in local processing.
This forum allows both Zimbabwean and Chinese stakeholders to exchange ideas and sign partnerships that benefit the entire value chain,” he said
The Expo will also showcase modern tobacco-curing and packaging technologies that reduce costs and environmental impact.
“This is not just a trade show it is a strategic dialogue on how to make Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry sustainable, profitable and globally competitive,” said Matsvaire.
The Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo runs from October 16 to 17 at the HICC, with field tours and factory visits scheduled the day before.
Engagement is the way to go. This will help to transform the country’s tobacco sector… #engagement