The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe arrived back in South Africa today after attending the 32nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) that is taking place in New Delhi until November 27. Thabethe delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition which was also attended by the President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee. Thirty three South African crafters are exhibiting their wares which have made good impression among the exhibition visitors.
“I was highly impressed by the warm reception with which the Indian government and the organisers of the fair welcomed us and the high status which was accorded to South Africa which was allocated the focus country status. As a result, South Africa and Belarus, which was declared a partner country, were the only two countries whose representatives addressed the opening ceremony. Our country was put under the spotlight and this resulted in visitors flocking to our pavilion in droves,” said Thabethe.
She added that she was inspired by the interest that visitors to the exhibition showed in the South African handicrafts.
“Most of the crafters sold quite a remarkable number of their wares in the first two days of the exhibition. We are really happy when this happens but our major objective that we want to achieve by taking businesspeople to other parts of the world is to enable them to secure deals and orders that will result in them coming back home and producing more of whatever they are manufacturing, thereby creating employment for their fellow country men and women,” said Thabethe.
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 6 000 exhibitors from all over the world are participating in the fair.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe and the South African Higher Commissioner to India Reverend Harris Majeke cutting the ribbon to open the South African Pavillion at the India International Trade Fair in New Delhi this week.
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