STANBIC CHINA DAY KICKS OFF
Harare, 18 October 2023 – The second edition of the annual Stanbic China day kicks off on Friday as one of 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 colloboration, following up from the
inaugural event held last year.
Stanbic Bank Head of Trade and Africa China Banking, 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 Nyika.
He said attendees will be afforded an opportunity to interact with Zimbabwean and Chinese
companies and the Stanbic Bank team.
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 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.
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 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 twenty-five (25) companies and government departments from
Zimbabwe participated in the Forum and had Business to Business meetings with two
hundred and fifty (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.