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The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe has arrived in New Delhi, India where she is leading a group of thirty three businesspeople in the arts and crafts sector. The business delegation will be showcasing their products in the 32nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) that will take place in Pragati Maiden, New Delhi from tomorrow to 27 November 2012.

Thabethe will deliver a speech at the exhibition’s opening ceremony where she will share the platform with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who will deliver a keynote address. She will then officially open the South African National Pavilion at the exhibition where she will be joined by the Indian Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Anand Sharma.

The South African crafters’ participation in the internationally-acclaimed exhibition has been made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA).  The scheme is aimed at developing export markets for South African products and services, and recruiting new foreign direct investment into the country.

The 32nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) is one of the largest integrated trade fairs, in terms of exhibitor and visitor participation targeting both trade visitors and the general public.  The IITF offers participants from different segments of the industry adequate visibility for their products and services. Products being displayed range from leather, textiles and handicrafts to jewellery furniture and furnishings.

Last year the IITF saw participation of 7 000 exhibitors, including overseas participation from 28 countries, representing over 350 companies. A large number of domestic and foreign business persons visited the fair and the fair attracted trade delegations from 73 countries. Over one million people visited the fair.

Deputy Minister Thabethe said the crafters that the dti has selected from different provinces will have an opportunity to market and showcase their products on the world platform.

“South Africa first participated in the IITF in 2008 and the good reception that the South African products received encouraged us to send more businesspeople to display their products and market them internationally. The crafters we are taking to the fair this year were first identified at the South African Handmade Collection (SAHC), a unique and proudly South African craft brand that promotes South African handmade products nationally and internationally, and also aims at promoting emerging craft enterprises especially those residing in rural areas,” says Deputy Minister Thabethe.

She adds that the fair will also be an opportunity for crafters to meet and interact with the business community attending the fair.