Tinotenda Hove – The 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair has been overshadowed by growing economic anxiety, with critics dismissing high-level visits as little more than a public relations exercise disconnected from the country’s deepening challenges.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his counterpart Duma Gideon Boko toured exhibition stands on Thursday, projecting an image of regional cooperation and optimism. However, behind the carefully staged walkthrough, analysts argue the optics fail to address the harsh economic realities facing businesses and ordinary citizens.

Boko is expected to officially open this year’s trade fair, but the build-up has been met with skepticism from economic observers who question the event’s relevance at a time when industries are struggling to stay afloat. Instead of meaningful interventions, critics say the leadership has opted for ceremonial appearances that offer little substance.

Economists were blunt in their assessment, describing the entire exercise as “window dressing” and “insignificant” in the face of mounting economic pressure.

They argue that showcasing products at exhibition stands does not translate into tangible recovery, particularly in an environment marked by currency instability, low investor confidence, and shrinking industrial capacity.

Concerns have also been raised over the widening gap between government messaging and lived realities, with some observers warning that such high-profile tours risk trivialising the urgency of the situation. For many, the trade fair has become symbolic of missed opportunities—where display takes precedence over decisive action.

As the event unfolds, doubts persist over whether it will yield any meaningful economic outcomes, or simply reinforce perceptions of a leadership increasingly out of touch with the depth of the crisis.