The Zimbabwe Furniture Manufacturers Association (ZFMA) has reaffirmed its core industry objectives while strengthening international trade cooperation following a high-level engagement with the Embassy of India in Harare, as preparations intensify for the India International Furniture Expo (IIFX) 2026 to be held in Kozhikode, Kerala, from January 3-5.
A ZFMA delegation comprising Prince Suberi (secretary), Jacob Esau (chief executive officer) and Alois Burutsa (administrator) met Indian Ambassador Kumar to brief him on the planned trade and learning mission to India, which will be undertaken in partnership with the Indian Embassy in Harare.
The engagement positioned international trade cooperation as a central pillar of ZFMA’s mandate to grow and modernise Zimbabwe’s furniture manufacturing sector.
During the meeting, ZFMA outlined its objectives as the national representative body for Zimbabwe’s furniture manufacturers, retailers and allied service providers.
“Our objectives include promoting local manufacturing and value addition through advocacy for policies that protect and grow domestic production,” Esau said.
“We also seek to strengthen trade cooperation and market access, both regionally and internationally, by facilitating export opportunities, trade missions and business-to-business linkages.
“ZFMA also aims to uphold quality and industry standards to enhance competitiveness, consumer confidence and ethical business practices.”
Esau said their organisation seeks to drive industrial growth and innovation through exposure to modern manufacturing technologies, sustainable design and skills development.
He also said they aim to build strategic partnerships with foreign embassies, investors, training institutions and development partners to unlock investment and technology transfer.
“We want to position Zimbabwe as a regional hub for innovative, sustainable and globally competitive furniture manufacturing by 2030.
Esau said participation in IIFX 2026 directly advances their objectives by opening access to global buyers, suppliers of machinery and raw materials, and potential joint-venture partners from India and beyond.
ZFMA brings together some of Zimbabwe’s leading furniture manufacturing companies, including Teecherz Furnitures and Furniture Direct International, Silkhood and Adam Bede alongside other key players across the value chain.
The association said the strength and diversity of its membership enhances its capacity to represent industry interests and drive collective growth.
Ambassador Kumar welcomed ZFMA’s proactive approach to trade engagement, noting that India’s strengths in furniture manufacturing, design innovation and skills training present significant opportunities for collaboration with Zimbabwean firms.
He reiterated the Indian Embassy’s support in facilitating connections between Zimbabwean manufacturers and Indian companies, as well as ensuring effective participation at IIFX 2026.
“The partnership with the Indian Embassy is expected to lead to structured trade cooperation, including high-level business engagements, capacity-building programmes and potential investment flows into Zimbabwe’s furniture sector,” Esau said.
Esau also indicated that the India mission will support longer-term initiatives such as the proposed Zimbabwe–India Furniture Business Council.
As Zimbabwe’s furniture industry seeks to scale up production, exports and innovation, Esau said the upcoming trade and learning mission to India marks a strategic step in aligning industry objectives with global opportunities — leveraging cooperation, competitiveness and shared growth.