The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe will lead a delegation of about twelve businesswomen to an outward mission to the Netherlands and Italy from today to 10 November 2012.
The mission seeks to create opportunities for networking among businesswomen from South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy, and also to encourage the creation of partnerships, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
Deputy Minister Thabethe says the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is committed to supporting women in their drive towards greater economic empowerment and to ensure that women in business are actively supported through incentives, information sharing, trade missions, improved access to finance, and enterprise development.
“Missions such as these strive to create awareness on the need for better access to markets, be they local, national or international. Furthermore, many women still feel shut out of markets and are unable to access market information that would help them enter new and expanding markets,” said Thabethe.
She said the focus of the mission would be on agriculture/agro-processing, chemicals/beauty products, crafts, furniture and design, leather, jewellery and fashion and clothing.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
