Good Trade Leads for North SMMES at the World Trade and Retail Exhibition
The Department has observed that one of the challenges faced by most small businesses is access to market as this impact negatively towards the growth and development of their businesses. In addressing this the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism afforded an opportunity to some small businesses from the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Bojanala districts to showcase their products and service to potential investors at Africa’s largest and best-established trade and retail exhibition show named South African International Trade Expo (SAITEX) recently.
SAITEX is the platform for continental trade across the retail, hospitality, food and beverage and wholesale sectors. The exhibition provided the entrepreneurs with an opportunity to network with national and international product importers to gain insight into the latest developments in the industry. The North West exhibitors were able to showcase their local manufacturing capability in order to boost the trade and regional integration of regional value chains across South Africa and its regional trading partners to boost intra-Africa trade.
According to MEC, Mme Kenetswe Mosenogi, the department remains committed to promoting sustainable rural enterprises and industries through its enterprise, trade and sector interventions.
“Small businesses are critical to the economic growth and sustainability of the province. It is important that as department we expose them to this kind of international event to be able to network, share information with potential investors which ultimately will assist them in improving their businesses and create sustainable jobs to local communities”, said MEC Mosenogi
Part of the departmental programme at the exhibition was the meeting led by MEC Mosenogi with Botswana Investment & Trade Centre and Lesotho Ministry of Small Business Development delegations to explore and share ideas on trade and investment opportunities available in South Africa and the two (2) states.
MEC highlighted that the department needs to collaborate with regional partners within South African Development Community (SADEC) to integrate and expand regional value chains to deepen trade. This need to be supported by deepening intra-value chains within countries to ensure that the capacity of individual countries to supply goods and services they consume and export is increased. This will require establishing dedicated industrial clusters to competitively produce and supply goods for growing regional and global markets. The efforts intended to facilitate support to Africa Intra-Trade through Africa Free Trade Agreement signed by 54 countries.
“Botswana which is sharing customs culture and language with the North West province is a natural strategic partner for deepening trade, tourism and investments across the two countries. We believe that our collaboration in the identified sectors will provide us with an ideal platform to enable business to jointly explore opportunities in tourism, trade and manufacturing to improve the quality life among our citizens, said MEC Mosenogi.
Small businesses were able to record orders amounting to approximately three hundred thousand (R300 000.00). Amongst exhibitors were Fiffy G and Eagle nest which producecosmetics and linen were able to attract business person from Mauritius as she was interested in forming partnership to boost their businesses.
“We are pleased to participate in this exhibition as we have acquired several leads from other African countries and local potential clients who showed interest in our products and the pricing structure” said Ms Gabankile the owner of Fiffy G.
Appreciating the dedication and commitment shown by small businesses who participated in the SAITEX Show, MEC Mosenogi gave Departmental official some matching orders to further assist them with issues around product development to meet market standard, linkages with potential buyers like guest houses, registration on Central Supplier Database(CSD) and also expansion. She urged small businesses to take advantage of such big platforms and share knowledge with leading manufacturers and brands, as such; the experience will provide essential insights on how to explore big markets.
Enquiries:
Ms Dumisa Seshabela
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 522 7375
Email: dseshabela@nwpg.gov.za
