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Keeping abreast of trends and technologies crucial

7th December 2018

By: Jessica Oosthuizen

Creamer Media Reporter

     

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With the annual Caminex trade expo being the only mining, agricultural and industrial trade expo that takes place in the Copperbelt – in Kitwe, Zambia – event co-organiser Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery mining and industrial portfolio director Charlene Hefer says the event offers visitors the opportunity to stay informed about latest developments and the increasing drive towards environmentally sustainable economic growth.

“It is becoming evermore important to stay up to date with industry trends and new technologies, and how they are influencing the way we do business,” she tells Mining Weekly.

Caminex 2019, which will be held from June 4 to 6 at the Kitwe showgrounds, will offer important value to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s rich copperbelts, she says.

“Next year will be the third year that the show will run as the rebranded Caminex. The show has excellent local support, as it is hosted in conjunction with a local partner: nonprofit and nongovernmental organisation the Copperbelt Mining, Agricultural and Commercial Society,” says Hefer.

This year, the show hosted more than 140 commercial and international exhibitors and attracted 4 640 visitors. She notes that exhibitors reported that the event had been a positive experience for them, as it provided an opportunity to meet existing clients and potential new clients in one place, which made doing business easy.

“Using Caminex as a platform enabled exhibitors to have face-to-face contact with new and existing clients within a controlled environment. To see this number of companies individually would require exhibitors to spend months in the area.”

Moreover, based on visitor statistics, 75% of the visitors either make or strongly influence purchasing decisions – this is of significant value to exhibitors in their engagement with visitors, she mentions. Top reasons cited for visiting were to find out about the latest trends and technologies (41%), source new products and services (30%) and find new suppliers and distributors (12%).

“Even before Caminex 2018 ended, many exhibitors had already booked their space for next year’s event, confirming the benefits that exhibitors gained from being at the show,” Hefer highlights.

A highlight of this year’s show was Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s delivering a Presidential address at the show, she enthuses, adding that he spent time visiting the stands and engaging with exhibitors.

Another highlight was the free-to-attend business seminars, which were attended in large numbers. “People in the area are hungry for knowledge and learning. There are few opportunities in the Copperbelt for a learning experience such as this, where government and industry experts share their knowledge and provide insight on a wide range of topics related to the mining, agriculture and industrial sectors.”

Next year’s seminars will cover such topics as the legislative environment, diversification, environmental sustainability, access to finance, infrastructure development and new technologies available to the region’s mining and related industries.

Hefer notes that the organisers expect Caminex 2019 to be endorsed by local government in Zambia, such as the ministries of mines and minerals development; commerce, trade and industry; and agriculture. They are also looking forward to continued support from the Zambia Chamber of Mines, and South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry and its Capital Equipment Export Council.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

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