The South African National Pavilion was accorded the Gold Medal award as the best foreign pavilion at the 33rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) which ended in New Delhi, India this week. Thirty five South African crafters participated in the exhibition.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe was thrilled with being awarded the best foreign pavilion at the show.
“This award does not belong to the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) but to South Africa as a country in general. For us to be crowned the best foreign exhibitor in an international trade fair in which about 6000 exhibitors including 250 from foreign countries are participating, is a great achievement. We are all proud of this award as it shows that we as a department have been good ambassadors for the country. It also means that the quality of the companies that were exhibiting in our stand created a good impression among the judges and the visitors,” said Thabethe.
She added that she was highly impressed by the warm reception with which the Indian government and the organisers of the fair welcomed the South Africans, and the high status which was accorded to South Africa as Focus Country at the event. As a result, South Africa was put under the spotlight and this resulted in visitors flocking to the dti pavilion in droves.
The IITF is one of the largest integrated trade fairs, in terms of exhibitor and visitor participation targeting both trade visitors and the general public. It offers participants from different segments of the industry adequate visibility for their products and services. Products displayed range from leather, textiles and handicrafts to jewellery furniture and furnishings. More than a million people visited the IITF over the 14 days duration of the fair.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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