The Outward Selling Mission to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait which concludes today, has given South African products and services an opportunity to make inroads in the Middle East market and also for the business delegation to build relations with potential investors and buyers. The week-long mission was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).
The Deputy Director of Export Promotion at the dti Ms Shakira Motan said the Middle East offers significant and serious long-term growth development potential for South African businesses.
“The majority of buyers, distributors and investors have showed keen interest in most products and services, and have confirmed follow up meetings with our delegates,” said Motan.
She added that the region presents proven potential on the basis of its own competitiveness and economic strength, and that South African companies can compete with some of the products and services offered in the Gulf. For Omar Saib, a Durban based Chemical specialist, the mission was a great opportunity for him to penetrate the market that has long been a lifelong dream for his company.
“I was given an opportunity to present my product to a well-known paint manufacturer and they were quite impressed with what my product can offer. I have now been requested to send different samples within a week and once the testing has been approved my products will go on a trial basis for a year,” said Saib.
Saib believes that if most South African businesses can be given an opportunity to test other markets, they can compete with the leading economies of the world. South Africa’s relationship with the Middle East remains substantive and strong with on-going engagements at various political and economic levels.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
Email: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
