LUSAKA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) said on Monday that it will hold a regional trade fair aimed at showcasing women entrepreneurs in the region.

The 2nd Annual Women in Business Trade Fair will be held in Lusaka, the Zambian capital from Sept. 22 to 24. Sept, 2021 under the theme, "Promoting Regional Integration and Strong Resilient Economies Through Trade".

In a release, Africa's largest trading bloc said the trade fair will provide an opportunity for local, regional and international investors to engage and evaluate promising investment opportunities, with various goods and services from both the region and beyond on display.

It has been organized by the COMESA Federation of National Associations of Women in Business and the Zambia Federation of Association of Women in Business.

"The exhibition and workshops will bring together local, regional and international women in business and policymakers from Zambia, the COMESA region and abroad," the release said.

The trade fair will also provide a forum for sharing best practices through a series of workshops organized on different subject matters that hinge on enhancing regional trade.

According to the release, the exhibition will shall among other outcomes ensure that players in the production value chain will be complementing and supporting one another which will result in a decline in poverty levels.

Maureen Sumbwe, Chairperson of the COMESA Federation of National Associations of Women in Business said despite the critical role the women entrepreneurs play in the economy, their businesses have continued to face challenges.

"Many women have limited access to finance because of the burdensome conditions set by the financial sector on obtaining loans, such as high-interest rates, and requirement for collateral, inadequate start-up capital," she said. Enditem

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