Nineteen South African businesspeople in the arts and crafts sector will get an opportunity to expose their products to the international market when they participate in the 31st India International Trade Fair (IITF) that will take place in Pragati Maiden, New Delhi in India from 14-27 November 2011. 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 Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe will accompany the businesspeople to India. She will also hold talks with Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister for Small and Micro Enterprises, Shri Virbhadra Singh.
The IITF is the largest integrated trade fair with both business to business and business to consumer components. It is one of the largest trade fairs in the world both in terms of exhibitor and visitor participation.The IITF offers to participants from different segments of industry adequate visibility for their products and services among fair visitors. Products being displayed range from leather, textiles and handicrafts to jewellery furniture and furnishings. An estimated 7 500 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 put 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 uniquely 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 within the business community attending the fair.
One of the crafters, Ms Mpho Modisakeng of Bokhomzi Projects, which is based in Luka, near Rustenburg, says she is looking forward to the trip as she hopes she will be able to sell her products and network with businesspeople from other countries, and strike long-term lucrative deals. Bokhomzi manufactures mohair rugs, bags, cushions, coasters and placemats.
Enquiry:
Sidwell Medupe (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
