HARARE, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Zimbabwe will host an information technology (IT) fair to showcase equipment and services early next month with more than 20 local, regional and international companies in attendance, the local newspaper The Herald reported on Thursday.

    The one-day exhibition, slated for February 3, is being organized by the United States Embassy in Harare.

    The fair is intended to unveil the latest high technology equipment and promote US exports to Zimbabwe.

    the fair has drawn exhibitors from more than 20 local and regional companies and a few from the United Sates.

    The United States Embassy was quoted as saying that although political relations between the two countries were not at their best at present, good trade relations between the two countries were critical and should therefore not be underestimated.

    It is against this background that the US Embassy in Harare hasorganized an IT fair, which was last held more than five years ago.

    The US embassy said trade in the IT products and related services was growing fast in the United States, and Zimbabwe had the potential to trade significantly with the Americans in this sector.

    Last year, the United States is believed to have exported over 50 million US dollar worth of goods to Zimbabwe and IT representeda growing portion of these exports.

    IT is big business in the United States and is the fastest growing industry, which encompasses computers, software, telecommunications products and services, Internet and online services, systems integration and professional services companies.

    Local companies will have the rare opportunity to exchange information with US IT industry representatives in the growing business of IT products and services as the sector is fast growingat a rate of about 6.8 percent per annum in 2003. Enditem