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The Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA) trade exhibition provides South Africa with an opportunity to balance the uneven trade that exists between itself and Angola. This was said by the Director of Export Promotion in the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Dr Julias Nyalunga.

He was speaking on the side-lines of the official opening of FILDA, where 27 South African business delegates are exhibiting their products and services. The trade exhibition kicked off yesterday in Luanda, and will run until Sunday, 27 July 2014.

“Our participation in FILDA is a commitment to the Angolan economic transformation and an opportunity to showcase our offerings so that there can be trade, assisting South Africa to improve the trade deficit between the two countries,” added Dr Nyalunga.

He emphasised that South Africa had a huge opportunity to tap into other sectors of the Angolan economy and not only focus on oil-related sectors. He also added that entering into more joint ventures with the Angolans and contributing into the diversification of their economy, would assist to diversify South African exports to Angola.

According to Dr Nyalunga, the companies that the dti brought have more potential of doing business in Angola. He said the sectors represented include hydro power, agro-processing, capital equipment, Information Communication Technology, services, clothing and textile, amongst others.

Daryl De Swardt of Macadams Food Service Solutions expressed his appreciation for being part of FILDA 2014. He said his company had attended the exhibition in the previous years and has seen and ripped benefits from the opportunities that Angola offers. Macadams is currently supplying equipment to the Angolan market and wants to grow by establishing new relationships with various clients and potential agents

Swardt said his company had a good story to tell and was optimistic that participation in the exhibition will yield positive results.