The ManicaPost
Business Reporter
THE second edition of the annual Stanbic China Day kicks off tomorrow (Friday) as the leading financial services institution presses ahead with promoting investment and trade between Chinese and Zimbabwean companies.
The two-day event is the second Stanbic China collaboration, following up from the inaugural event held last year.
Stanbic Bank head of Trade and Africa China Banking, Mr Tapuwa Nyika said whereas the inaugural event was targeted at helping source and secure jobs for Zimbabweans, the second edition is aimed at not only helping secure jobs but also promoting trade with China.
“Running under the theme- Creating sustainable partnerships for growth -the event is aimed at forging mutually beneficial business relationships between Zimbabwean and Chinese businesses. To that end, we have lined up exhibitors from Chinese owned businesses and Zimbabwean companies that trade or those that intend to trade with China,” said Mr Nyika.
He said attendees will be afforded an opportunity to interact with Zimbabwean and Chinese companies and the Stanbic Bank team.
Mr Nyika said the event will be headlined by a business forum tomorrow (Friday 20) where key issues that affect trading with China would be discussed.
“The aim of the business forum is to unpack the Trade opportunities between China and Zimbabwe and provide key insights from industry leaders on how to tap into and benefit from these opportunities,” said Mr Nyika.
He said representatives from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the largest bank in the world by assets and a shareholder of Stanbic Bank’s parent company, Standard Bank Group will attend the event.
Mr Nyika said the Stanbic China Day was another step towards cementing relationships between the financial services institution, its clients and Chinese suppliers.
“This is an event not to miss for any business looking to grow their portfolios especially in China. China’s economic influence is spreading throughout the globe and as Stanbic Bank we have opened this window for our clients to maximise on this event and expand, leveraging on our relationship with ICBC,” said Mr Nyika.
He said the relationship between Stanbic Bank and ICBC was instrumental in ensuring that ZimTrade held a successful three-day Zimbabwe – China Business Forum in Beijing earlier in the year.
A total of 25 companies and Government departments from Zimbabwe participated in the Forum and had Business to Business meetings with 250 Chinese businesses in various sectors of the economy.
Last year’s job fair attracted 1 800 job seekers who were looking to secure employment with the over 30 Chinese companies under the Chinese Chamber of Enterprises in Zimbabwe (CCEZ).
As a direct result of the job fair last year over 700 job seekers found placements in various organisations.
Stanbic Bank’s bid to promote trade between Zimbabwe and China has seen the financial services institution establish the Africa China Trade Solution (ACTS) in 2021.
ACTS is the conduit through which Zimbabwean businesses can liaise with their Chinese counterparts for ease of trade.
Stanbic has since established a partnership with Zhejiang International Trading Supply Chain Co. Ltd which trades as Guamao and has over 10 000 validated Chinese suppliers.
The partnership with Guamao ensures that Zimbabwean businesses wishing to buy products from China are guaranteed superior quality goods.
