The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe has arrived in the Netherlands with a delegation of businesswomen for an outward mission.
Speaking at a briefing session with the South African delegation last night, Deputy Minister Thabethe said that it was the Department of Trade and Industry’s mandate to create opportunities for small emerging exporters and it was also the responsibility of these exporters to market their products and services well.
"We want to assist emerging exporters to find opportunities and expand into these foreign markets, and by opening these doors we as government see it as an opportunity to learn from well-established systems and best practices," said Thabethe.
She also encouraged the business women to make use of the opportunity offered by the mission to form strong networks and relationships with other women organisations in Netherlands.
The Chief Executive Officer of Stellenbosch-based Mhudi Wines, Ms Malmsey Rangaka, an emerging exporter who has already made her mark in Germany and Switzerland, said an expansion into the Netherlands will benefit both her business and the South African economy.
"As a small company we would like to expand our exporting footprint so that we can grow our brand and also employ more staff. Given this opportunity to engage with other businesswomen and men who can assist with linkages for exporting it is an opportunity one cannot let it slip," said Rangaka.
Trade between South Africa and Netherlands has been increasing over the years. The total trade between the two countries increased from R27.3 billion in 2010 to about R30 million in 2011.
The mission, which will also see Thabethe proceeding to Italy, seeks to create opportunities for networking between women of South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy and also encourage creation of partnerships, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
