Deputy Minister Thabethe launches permanent South African showroom in Atlanta, USA
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe launched a permanent South African showroom in one of the largest permanent wholesale trade centres in Atlanta, United States of America, yesterday.
According to Thabethe, the showroom will serve as a platform to market South African products, especially home decor and textiles.
”We are inspired by the cultural diversity of these products as well as the prestigious quality that we believe will certainly resonate well with the American and other international consumers. Our focus is now on creation of more value-added products and to improve competitiveness in the industry,” said Thabethe.
She added that she was highly impressed by the talent and skills that South African women possess in designing and crafting fashionable products which promote the South African culture and heritage, and appeal to both local and international markets.
The South African ambassador to the USA, Mr Ebrahim Rasool, said that he was thrilled by the initiative taken by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in seeing to it that the project came to fruition.
”Small to medium South African producers have been granted an opportunity to showcase their products at an incredibly great market and this can only help create jobs back home,” said Rasool.
Deputy Minister Thabethe officially declared the showroom in Atlanta opened in the presence of Georgia State Senator, Ms Donzella James and Vice Mayor, City of College Park, Mr Joe Carn together with Consul General, Mr George Monyemangene.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
