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A group of 25 South African companies will get an opportunity to showcase their products and services at the 17th annual Africa Down Under International Conference and Trade Show in Perth, Australia from 4-6 September 2019. The companies are operating in the mining; technology and services companies; mining, capital equipment and services; steel fabrication and steel tubing; engineering and services; as well as electro-technical equipment and services sectors.
 
The companies’ participation in ADU is part of the Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to Australia that is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.
 
According to the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Fikile Majola, the participation of the SA companies in the mission provides an ideal opportunity for them to showcase their products and services, as well as meet Australian and International mining companies, equipment suppliers and mining services providers.
 
“The ADU is the world’s leading gathering for companies and organisations in mineral exploration and mining services from all continents. It is said to have grown to become the largest African-focused mining event held outside the continent itself. It will provide a perfect platform for our businesspeople to showcase their products, services and expertise and interact with other businesspeople from across the globe. ADU is also an excellent source of information on future mining projects in Africa and elsewhere,” says Majola.
 
He adds that the OSM forms part of the dti’s objective of exposing South African business to international markets with the goal of making them competitive at an international level thereby strengthening ties with its allied countries while simultaneously improving the economic performance of South Africa.
 
“The companies that we are supporting to participate in this mission are amongst the more than 850 that we have committed to funding this financial year in order to assist them explore export markets for their products and services. We want to see more companies securing international markets and increasing their production as this will require them to employ more people to service the increased demand. We are optimistic that this mission will create more market entry opportunities for South African value-added products and services into Africa, Oceania and beyond,” says Majola.
 
The bilateral trade between South Africa and Australia has been fluctuating from R21 billion in 2013 and R28 billion in 2018, which is an average growth of 6% over five years.  The trade balance has been in favour of Australia since 2013, fluctuating from R5 billion to R16 million in 2016 and down to R7 billion in 2018. In the Asian region, Australia was South Africa’s 7th export partner and 5th import partner in 2018.
 
 
Issued by The Department of Trade and Industry