The South African business delegation has arrived in Kuwait for the second leg of the Outward Selling Mission (OSM) organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). The OSM,which started in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, will continue in Kuwait City, from tomorrow to Saturday, 30 November 2013.
The mission aims to build on the commitments made by the dti to expose South African companies to the Middle East market and to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.
The business delegation will participate in business seminars, a trade forum, a sequence of business-to-business meetings, and site visits to different companies.
The Financial Manager of Kappa Engineering, Mr Oliver Hobbs, who is part of the delegation, said his company, which manufactures hydraulic cylindersand is based in Germiston, is looking to expand its services into the Middle East especially Kuwait.
Hobbs said he made good contacts with potential investors in Saudi Arabia and hopes to build on the momentum for Kuwait.
“I had successful meetings in the past three days which have great potential for our business. Our company is looking to form a joint venture with any local partner in the Middle East and a lot of potential investors have shown interest in our product and services,” said Hobbs.
Hobbs added that the region has potential due to the massive infrastructure development projects currently taking place, and he is willing to put resources together to explore the market.
The Marketing Officer of the Western Cape based Bayede, Ms Minke Van Lill hopes to market and gain success in getting Bayede Rooibos Tea into the Middle East market.
“We have been looking for opportunities to export Rooibos and some of our products in these parts of the world. I made a presentation to different chain stores and importers who were keen to have our products on their shelves. We just have to build on the relationships that have already been established in Saudi Arabia,” she said.
Sectors targeted for the mission are agro-processing, manufacturing, machinery and equipment, capital equipment, the built environment and chemicals.
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
