By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables are invited to apply for assistance to participate in the upcoming Fruit Logistica Asia 2017 trade exhibition, which will take place in Hong Kong from 6-8 September 2017.
Companies which are interested in participating in this exhibition are encouraged to submit application forms to the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) by 6 April 2017.
The trade fair, which will be attended by exhibitors from over 120 countries around the world, is targeting producers of fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh-cut and convenience items, exotic products, organic produce, potatoes, dried fruit or nuts, herbs and spices as well as flowers or plants for self-service outlets, among others.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says participating in this exhibition will not only expose South African companies to the Asian market, but will also provide an opportunity for South Africa to showcase its agricultural and value-added products.
He adds that this is part of the dti’s strategy to increase exports, create and identify export markets for South African agricultural and value-added products and services in Asia.
“China and South Africa have signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CSPA) to promote trade in value-added manufactured products as well as investment in the manufacturing sector in an effort to advance industrialisation. This initiative is undertaken as part of the implementation of the CSPA to expose South African products to the Asian market,” says Davies.
He highlights that in order to ensure that South African products penetrate the market, the dti will ensure that participating companies do not only showcase their products but have the capacity to timeously supply any export orders arising out of the visit.
Participating companies will be assisted through the dti’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA). It offers airfare, payment of exhibition space, freight forwarding of exhibition material to the exhibition and back to South Africa as well as daily subsistence allowance up to a pre-determined maximum amount.
