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The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will lead a delegation of businesspeople on an Outward Trade and Investment Mission (OTIM) to Kuwait and Qatar from today to 3 December 2015. The businesspeople represent companies that operate in agro-processing, chemicals, metals fabrication and built environment.

According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, the objective of the OTIM is to create a platform for South African value-added products and services to establish themselves in the Middle Eastern market.

“The mission to Kuwait and Qatar will provide South African companies with an opportunity to make inroads into the Gulf States that have a propensity to consume large quantities of high quality niche products as well as enable South Africa to diversify its export basket. Taking cognisance of the increased trade deficit with oil countries like Kuwait and Qatar, it would be important to focus on higher value-added exports to the region,” says Davies.

Davies adds that the Middle East is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for manufactured products and services. He says the region holds great potential for South Africa as an export market, and serves as a potential strategic source of foreign direct investment.

“South African companies will also be able to introduce their products directly to their target markets, and also network and build relationships with potential importers that will benefit both these companies and the country in future,” adds Davies.

The programme for the mission will include trade and investment seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits.

Issued by The Department of Trade and Industry