The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will be hosting a business delegation from Italy to participate in the Inward Investment mission taking place from the 21-24 June 2015. The delegation will comprise of business people in the agro-processing and agro-machinery sectors.
The mission follows the Outward Selling Mission to Italy in the agro-food sector in March 2014 and the joint the dti-Confindustria (Confederation of Italian Industry) initiative in December 2014. The latter identified opportunities of linking Italian machinery producers and industrial consulting groups with South African small and medium-sized food producers, and exporters to increase food-processing plants in South Africa and add more value to SA exports.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says the purpose of the mission is to introduce Italian investors to local firms with the aim of encouraging partnerships to create new processing plants in SA and develop existing ones.
“We believe that this mission will assist to strengthen linkages between SA and Italian companies in the agro-processing sector and to create awareness of the opportunities existing in this market in SA encouraging them to invest locally rather than just look at exporting the machinery
According to Davies, the mission will also serve to enable the Italian investors to have face-to-face contact with potential local partners. He adds that it will also enable Italian investors to have different perceptions and in-market knowledge about the products existing in SA, as well as to enable SA food producers and exporters to establish international networks.
The programme will include a business seminar, site visits and business-to- business meetings. The business delegation will also get an opportunity to attend the Africa Big Seven Exhibition which will take place in Johannesburg from 21-23 June 2015. The mission is part of the dti’s initiatives to increase foreign direct investment in the country.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
