REPORT ON THE COMPANY VISITATION AT FAIR PLAZA IN CULEMBORG

My name is Grace Nyasulu, I originally come from Malawi and I am studying Masters In
digital marketing and communication. Firstly, I was expecting to see a small company
with people selling their goods but to my surprise this is a very big company with various
sections of places where you can get products from different countries. When I just
entered I could notice that is a different shop because of the diversity, I could notice
various products that I have seen back at home and I could also notice other cultures
just by looking at the goods that were being sold and displayed. My first impression was
good organization and good display of the products, one doesn’t have to get lost
looking for products of a specific country as most of the sections/companies already
have a specialization of where they import goods.

What impressed me the most was the manner through which the products where
displayed, the creativity that comes with it was overwhelming for instance there were
products that come from Zimbabwe, the way they made craft out of different stones was
pure art and very unique for me. I will remember a lot of beautiful things like how some
company used paper waste to make beautiful bags and present them in a way that they
can be used and I will remember the birds from Zimbabwe, they were made and
presented in such a beautiful and phenomenal way.

This company visit has taught me that every country has a specific uniqueness and has
something to offer through the various raw materials they have. I also have learnt that in
order to successful start a trade company, you have to know more about the laws and
the regulation of trade both internationally and at a lower level this is why it is important
to research about the products that you want to trade for and also present those
products in way that will be attractive to the retailers and not just at a local view but
consider other cultures as well while not exploiting the main idea and uniqueness of your
product.

I am personally glad I had to visit this company for it has enhanced my knowledge of
Fair trade, I both had the theoretical part of it that was presented in class but also I got
to see the practical part of it and that was seeing people sell different items from
different countries across the world, it’s like I got a clear glimpse of what various culture
of certain countries are by the items that were being displayed.

Below are the few pictures I captured during the visit:

NOTE; this is a craft displaying two people holding hands and have been shaped from various types
of stones from Zimbabwe.
This is dress designed and the neck piece is made from beads that are mostly used by different
African countries.