Thirty three South African business people in the arts and crafts sector will get an opportunity to showcase their products to the international market when they participate in the 32nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) that will take place in Pragati Maiden, New Delhi in India from 14 to 27 November 2012.
The group’s participation in the internationally-acclaimed exhibition has been made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA). The scheme is aimed at developing export markets for South African products and services, and recruiting new foreign direct investment into the country.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe will accompany the business people to India. She will attend only the first week of the exhibition before proceeding to Turkey on an outward selling mission.
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. The IITF offers participants from different segments of the industry adequate visibility for their products and services. Products being displayed range from leather, textiles and handicrafts to jewellery furniture and furnishings. More than 7 000 exhibitors from all over the world will be participating in the fair.
Deputy Minister Thabethe says the crafters that the dti has selected from different provinces will have an opportunity to market and showcase their products on the world platform.
“South Africa first participated in the IITF in 2008 and the good reception that the South African products received encouraged us to send more businesspeople to display their products and market them internationally. The crafters we are taking to the fair this year were first identified at the South African Handmade Collection (SAHC), a unique and proudly South African craft brand that promotes South African handmade products nationally and internationally, and also aims at promoting emerging craft enterprises especially those residing in rural areas,” says Deputy Minister Thabethe.
She adds that the fair will also be an opportunity for crafters to meet and interact with the business community attending the fair.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
