Dti opens pavillion in China, showcases South African products
The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, (the dti) Ms. Nomalungelo Gina officially opened the South African Pavillion at the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China.
The pavillion houses more than twenty South African companies and industry associations funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) that are showcasing their products and services.
The products that the companies will be marketing in China until the end of the expo on November 10, 2019, include diamonds, jewelery, olive oil, olives, Rooibos tea, honeybush tea, wines, avocados, raisins, plywood pine and sawn timber pine.
Speaking before cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the pavillion, Gina, who was accompanied by the South African Consul General in Shanghai, Ms. Mpho Hlahla, said that SA's participation in the expo would contribute to increasing trade and strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and China.
“We are here to showcase the best of what South Africa can offer in terms of products, not only to China but to many other countries that are exhibiting at the expo. We are here to take advantage of the trade opportunities that are being opened to us by China. The expo is also an opportunity for us to attract investors to come to our country. We are confident that South African products are proud to have brought the attention of the Chinese international buyers and importers, ”said Gina.
She added that the support provided to companies by the dti to participate in the CIIE was part of the broader objectives of growing the South African economy by increasing the country's exports, generating foreign revenue and attracting investments.
“We are hopeful that our companies will make good use of this opportunity to secure orders, generate tangible leads and ultimately conclude deals that will enable them to start exporting their products to this market. The Chinese government has already indicated its willingness to open their market for us as this expo is an invitation to show the Chinese companies what they can source from South Africa. This is the platform that will enable us to tap into the trillions or edge that the Chinese market is opening to us, ”added Gina.
Gina reiterated that the dti was on a mission to increase the variety and value of exports of South African products to China, especially value-added products such as those that currently showcasing the companies at the expo.
