The South African Industry and Technology (Indutec) Fair is actualis- ing government policies and providing traction through adding real substance to the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) and the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, says event organiser Exhibition Management Service MD John Thomson.

“The R5.8-billion Manufacturing Competiveness Enhancement Programme is intended to stimulate manufacturing and engineering activity and the new Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act is intended to compel government departments to buy goods and services from local manufacturers and suppliers,” states Thomson.

“The NDP 2030 is a massive, long-term strategy to expand every facet of South Africa’s infrastructure, industrial base and economy,” he says.

“It will have a huge positive impact on business activity across the country and the continent, and Indutec will form the epicentre of that activity.

“Valves are now a designated category under government’s preferential procurement policy and the Valve and Actuators Manufacturers Cluster of South Africa is taking a group stand to leverage the opportunities this designa- tion has for its members,” emphasises Thomson.

The Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is one of several asso- ciations that has endorsed Indutec, and is encouraging its members to leverage the trade opportunities afforded by such an event.

“Most of our members benefit hugely from taking part in these trade exhibi- tions, especially events with a strong international presence like Indutec,” says JCCI international trade head Nada Reyneke.

“We use exhibitions extensively, here and abroad, to put our members’ products and services directly into the hands of buyers,” says Reyneke.

Meanwhile, Thomson highlights that Africa’s rapidly expanding markets are the key to sales growth this year.

“Economists are calling Africa’s markets ‘the new Asia’ and Forbes magazine has described economies in Africa as the most resilient in the world. In fact, of the ten countries around the world with the fastest-growing economies, seven are in Africa.

“Dozens of overseas companies have already started harvesting opportunities across the continent and Southern African-based businesses are starting to explore the possibilities of expanding their intra-Africa trade,” says Thomson.

“Africa has enjoyed steady growth since 2009, with the manufacturing sector contributing over 10% to the continent’s domestic product, industry adding over 40% and mining and utilities contributing more than 25%,” states Reyneke.

These figures can increase dramati- cally if African businesses form partner- ships with companies in developing countries to share expertise, skills and technology in African markets. Indutec can provide those partnerships, says Thomson.

“Africa’s manufacturing sector growth is set to reach $200-billion and the water-related market will grow to $700-million by 2020.

“The energy sector will grow to $800- billion and the oil and gas technology market will reach $3.6-trillion. Indutec covers these sectors, which is why African business should be at the event,” adds Thomson.

“Many exhibitors are attending Indutec this year to gear up for signifi- cant industrial developments taking place all over Africa. In South Africa, government has begun implementing several major projects,” says Thomson, who adds that, as of April 8, 2013, companies confirmed their attendance at Indutec.

Further, Thomson notes that the majority of the Indutec exhibitors are international companies and, therefore, the fair has the potential to bring significant foreign income to the country.

Indutec is a ten-shows-in-one trade exhi- bition focusing on companies involved in technology, manufacturing, energy and engineering, the water, gas and petroleum sectors and the pumps, valves and pipes industry. Indutec takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand, Johannesburg, from May 14 to 16, 2013.

Thomson tells Engineering News that Indutec is made up of a number of well-established events as well as some new industry focus sectors.

“Indutec is supported by 32 professional associations and industry bodies from across South African industry.

“The cornerstone of Indutec is the Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa expo, which was first held in 2000. This was joined by Watertec Africa in 2005 and Petro.t.ex Africa in 2007 on the basis that these two industries were major users of pumps, valves and pipes. “We then also added Energex Africa in 2009, so as to introduce energy efficiency techniques to those industries,” explains Thomson.

The introduction of another six focus sectors in 2013 is attracting more exhibitors and visitors and is more cost effective for all concerned, he asserts.

“Using calculations made available by a division of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, the Johannesburg Convention Bureau, we can disclose that Indutec will bring in direct foreign income in the region of R23-million to Gauteng and a further R7.5-million will be generated from sources that stem from other provinces,” stresses Thomson.

The organisers expect in excess of 5 000 visitors to attend the exhibition and between 50 to 250 people to attend each of the workshops and conferences. Additionally, there are already several hundred registered delegates.

Delegates registered to date come not only from South Africa but also include representatives from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Austria, Italy, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Mali, Kenya, Namibia and Saudi Arabia.

“This new Hanover-style industrial fair provides African companies with an unprecedented and unique opportu- nity to network with global suppliers and buyers eager to establish business connections in Africa. It’s a perfect single-venue trade platform for suppliers to showcase products and services to a large, captive group of potential customers,” he says.