Below are excepts from an interview The Midweek had with ZimTrade Regional Development Officer Admire Jongwe.
The value of the crafts to be exported to France or may be specific destination.
Mashava Arts and Crafts recently exported stone sculptures worth about US$10000. Although the figure might look small, it represents a great milestone in the centre exporting directly to France. These are stone sculptures consolidated from artists from Mashava. The Sculptures are destined for France, a new market that the cluster has managed to broker.
The first-time exports to France comes after the participation of the Centre at Ambiente Trade Fair earlier this year. The participation of the Centre was facilitated by ZimTrade, national trade development and promotion agency.
Who facilitated the exports?
The Exports are because of consorted effort from the company and the trade promotion organisation, ZimTrade. The company attended the Ambiente Fair in Frankfurt, Germany in January 2023. 4 companies managed to attend this fair with about half a million orders generated for the Zimbabwean companies that participated at the fair. Through the leads that were generated during this mission, Mashava Arts and Crafts managed to broker a deal to export these stone sculptures.
During these export promotion events the company managed to get to understand new trends in the European markets and what the consumers are interested in.
Who are the targeted customers?
The target customers are wholesale art collectors and art galleries in Europe. The company also sells its products to cross border traders and local galleries.
The name of the Mashava Organisation(s)?
Mashava Arts Private Limited
How many are involved in the export?
Over 50 different artists are part of the Centres and exporters of this consignment came from this group.
Is it the first time to do the exports of this nature from the country?
This is the first time the Centre is exporting to France as a cluster, developed with the assistance from ZimTrade. They previously exported to Germany. ZimTrade is assisting the Centre to diversify its markets so as to increase volume of exports and revenue. They are working with buyers from USA, Germany, France and Netherlands.
Is it the first time for Mashava group to export, where else do they export to?
The company has been exporting since 2014 through middlemen, which affected their earnings. With the advent of the COVID-19 scourge, the exports ceased and there were no sales to tourists. With markets opening, ZimTrade is assisting the Centre to look for new buyers and new markets which has resulted in the exports to Netherlands, Germany and France.
