DEPUTY MINISTER THABETHE TO LEAD A BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THE 34TH INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

DEPUTY MINISTER THABETHE TO LEAD A BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THE 34^TH INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Department, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe will lead a business delegation consisting of 34 small and medium enterprises and cooperatives to the 34^thedition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi which takes place from 14–27 November 2014.

South Africa has been accorded the ‘’Partner Country’’ status. This means that the country’s participation and prominence closely watched by many countries especially because Deputy Minister Thabethe will be on the podium with President Shri Pranab Mukherjee of India. She will also have an opportunity to address the audience during the inaugural event.

“South Africa has decided to focus its attention on the arts and handicrafts sector and will be showcasing the best of traditional and contemporary handicrafts this year,” says Thabethe.

She adds that India has proven to love South African products because the organisers and buyers alike have recognised the country’s participation in the past.

“Although the fair runs for approximately two weeks, South African exhibitors had their products sold out in the first week in last year’s edition of the popular fair. The country also scooped a gold medal award as the best foreign pavilion amongst more than 6000 exhibitors from all over the world last year,” says Thabethe.

Thabethe adds that it is imperative that South Africa takes advantage of these receptive conditions in order to foster relations whilst promoting investment opportunities and exploring possible joint ventures as well as long term export opportunities for our cooperatives and small and medium enterprises.

The India International Trade Fair attracts buyers from all over the world and last year had more than a million people visiting the stalls over the 14-days duration of the Fair.