Brand Zimbabwe - Road to Dubai 2020

WHY EXPO 2020, DUBAI

Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and has been envisioned to be a festival of imagination and innovation with a transformative impact on humanity, the planet and the UAE as a nation. The Expo, which will run from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021, has been themed “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” which represents the potential of what can be achieved when meaningful collaborations and partnerships are forged. This main theme is supported by (3) main subthemes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, and these are indicated to be the timeless drivers of progress that continue to inspire people, organizations, and nations in their endeavours to create a better future. The three sub themes will be interpreted through the lenses of Innovation, Inclusion and Understanding. The theme recognizes that today’s challenges are far too complex to be solved in isolation, and that the creation of sustainable solutions to global problems demands readiness to reach out across geographies, institutional boundaries, industry clusters, cultures, and disciplines. Thus, the Organisers envisage Expo 2020 Dubai to be a celebration of how much humanity can accomplish by joining hands to solve common challenges. Participants, which include Zimbabwe, have been encouraged to translate the theme into an authentic portfolio of stories and perspectives that highlight the interconnections between sub-themes in a way that engages visitors of all ages.

WHAT EXPO 2020 HAS TO OFFER

Zimbabwe is in the Opportunity Thematic District and will highlight, how the country is the awakening giant, open for business and a land of vast opportunities. Opportunity is at the heart of development, ensuring that new horizons are opened up to individuals and communities to help them meet their current needs and their future aspirations. In this regard the main anchors of the opportunity sub-theme are:

a. Education – Inspiring, training and helping people and communities to reach their potential;

b. Employment – creating new jobs and enabling people to adapt to new requirements in the workplace and changing economic environments;

c. New Industries – Diversifying economies and developing innovative and creative industries and sectors;

d. Financial Capital – Creating new financial models, providing access to finance and achieving greater financial inclusion and efficiency;

e. Governance – Creating environments and ecosystems that are conducive to and promote innovation and opportunity

ZIMBABWE’S OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPATING AT EXPO 2020

• To promote Brand Zimbabwe and unpack the country’s Vision 2030;

• To promote trade and investment opportunities, as well as attract visitors to Zimbabwe;

• To clarify Zimbabwe’s policies and processes through a unified and simplified message;

• To conduct an exhibition of Zimbabwe’s Culture and Heritage, Top Brands in Goods and Services, and technological innovations that have impacted the livelihoods of people, and will continue to do so in the future;

• To unpack the Zimbabwe is OPEN FOR BUSINESS Mantra using practical examples and tangible results as drawn from the current reform efforts.

• To seek Source Markets and/or opportunities for technology transfer, tourism, investments and human capacity development.

• To exhibit Zimbabwe’s Rich and Diverse human capital by showcasing wholly Zimbabwean made solutions to world problems; and

• To change the previously negative narrative on our beloved country Zimbabwe into a positive narrative

THE CREATIVE YOUTH PROGRAMME

After months of working with the Commissioner General and the Expo 2020 Organisers, a number of Tertiary Institutions in Zimbabwe submitted their proposals, under the Creative Youth Programme Sponsored by Expo 2020. The National University of Science and Technology won the Competition, followed by Bulawayo Polytechnic, and Mutare Polytechnic was third. NUST’s design philosophy was based on Attraction, using proudly Zimbabwean elements that create a journey of discovery. The Zimbabwe bird, “Hungwe”, the Great Zimbabwe Architecture and Design, and our continuously Blue Skies, were all combined to come up with a master piece.

INSIDE ZIMBABWE’S COUNTRY PAVILION

Zimbabwe’s Exhibition is summarized into an exciting journey that starts from its historical background to the Vision 2030, in the process unpacking opportunities in their various forms. The entrance will evoke the country’s 13th century proud Munhumutapa Kingdom whose stone walls still stand, evolving into the modern present day Zimbabwe. Punctuated by the country’s developed natural and human resources, a dynamic display showcasing the youth and diverse Zimbabwean people will bridge the present to the future. The mood will then change to ethereal lighting and free flowing forms of the envisaged future. The journey is a 4 step process:

1. Our “Great” Zimbabwe

“Our Uniquely Beautiful Country with a proud and rich cultural heritage”. In this Zone, Zimbabwe will showcase some important aspects of culture, heritage and traditions, the people’s resilience, love of land that give Zimbabweans a sense of belonging. This zone provides the visitor with a snapshot of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

2. Our “Rich” and Fertile Lands

Abound with mountains, rivers, unusual rock formations and home to the Big Five, which roam in a natural environment. As Zimbabweans, we treasure our bountiful land, bursting with potential. From the Great D**e, home to a rich variety of precious and semi-precious minerals which remain largely unexploited, through the rich fertile soils that nurture a rich variety of crops and livestock, to the unique granite topographical features, that make Zimbabwe “A World of Wonders”. The zone will focus on the rich potential that the land provides to current and future generations, the established infrastructure; the strategic location that makes the country a potential transport hub, with a huge potential in its diversified industrial base; the Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism sectors that are “Open for Business” with a robust reform agenda that makes the country attractive for investors, tourists and buyers.

3. Our People

Our resilient and creative people with a work culture that will lead to prosperity and growth. This zone will feature the country’s people who are the reason for optimism about Zimbabwe’sfuture growth and development. Renowned for their innovation, resilience, energy, skills and love of life that beckons the visitor to come and explore.

This display aims to showcase the country’s reputation for its human capital, hard work and resourcefulness to the EXPO’s international audience.

4. Our Vision

Our hope for a better and more prosperous future with empowered people, driven by a unity of purpose which will build a strong country and an Upper-Middle income society by 2030. Zimbabwe is a country that is rapidly diversifying into new areas of growth driven by investment in ICT, Innovation and a youthful population. The country is fast venturing into E-commerce and Digital Solutions, and is ready to innovate, industrialize and transform the Small to Medium Scale Sector into Large Corporations. Technological advancements are creating opportunities in all sectors, and these opportunities will be unpacked on stretched fabric screens. The intention is to attract both Greenfield and Brownfield investments in order to create a better future for our “Uniquely Beautiful Country with a rich cultural diversity”

Who is Coming to Expo 2020

According to the Organiser’s estimates, Expo 2020 is expected to receive 15.5 Million Visitors and 25.2 Million visits over a 6-month period. Business visitors will constitute 20%, mainly coming from China, India and the United Kingdom, whilst the remaining 80% will be for leisure, segmented into Fun Seekers, Passives, Self-Enrichers and Experience seekers. It is estimated that 2.3 Million visits will be from students, mainly under the Expo Schools programmes in the UAE. Zimbabwe is organising a robust, interactive, exciting and educative programme to satisfy all the types of visitors. As a developing nation, seeking to jump catalyse socio-economic revitalization and move towards attaining upper middle income society, Zimbabwe will unpack “Opportunities”.

Exhibition

A series of sector-specific exhibition sub-themes will be showcased on a monthly basis during the course of the Expo 2020. The following represents some of the sectors that will be covered:

PLANNED EVENTS TO COMPLEMENT THE EXHIBITION

· National Day - 14 March 2021

· Each month to focus on a particular sector e.g. Mining month, Tourism month, agriculture month (Food expo) etc.

· One conference and workshop every month focusing on the focused sector

· Cultural stage on the Zimbabwean stand – cultural exhibitions (stone sculptures doing their work on the Zimbabwe’s stand), training sessions on weaving, pottery, beadmaking, mbira making, cultural village

· Tourism showcasing events – TBA

· Video production – cultural video, trade and investment opportunities, travel destinations, attractions

· Cocktails and dinners (one per month)

· Food tastings – on going as part of exhibitions

· Local artists with international following to give a Zimbabwean feel at the expo

· Fashion shows –

· B2B Meetings

Road to Expo 2020 – Team Zimbabwe

All Zimbabweans, both local and those in the Diaspora constitute Team Zimbabwe, and everyone has a role to play in the journey. A national approach is critical to the preparations of Zimbabwe, and the buy in of everyone will make the country’s participation a huge success. Industry and Commerce should be ready with robust digital platforms, to serve the anticipated surge in enquiries and search for Zimbabwean products on the internet. On the other hand, various sectors are expected to be ready for Investments, and increased appetite for the showcased products, including tourists’ resorts.

How to actively participate NOW and during Expo 2020

• Content Creation for Expo 2020 (Individual, Sectorial, Regional, and National)

• Goods Production (High Quality for Expo 2020)

• Themed Adverts on Zimbabwe’s participation at Expo 2020;

• Themed products and Services;

• Create Recipes for Expo 2020 Restaurants;

• Develop Tailored and/or Digital Platforms, Online Shops and more;

• Digital Marketing and Optimising Digital Presence

• Sponsoring and/or partnerships in preparatory activities, programmes and more.

• Visiting Expo 2020 Zimbabwe Pavilion

• B2B Meetings

• Attending Conferences, Dinners and other Planned Activities

• Sponsoring Content on IEC Materials i.e. Videos, Books, and more;

• Sponsored Digital Connection of Dubai and Harare (Zimbabwe);

• Supply Products for Sale at the Retail Store;

• Partnership on Exhibitors Regalia;

• Participate during National Day – 14 March 2021

Becoming a Partner

Zimbabwe’s National Coordinating Committee headed by the Commissioner General welcomes everyone who desires to actively participate in ensuring that Zimbabwe’s preparations are as smooth, as well as facilitating a memorable and fruitful 6-month showcase in the UAE. Send your suggestions, innovative ideas and your comments to the details provided on this platform