Fourteen South African companies would participate in the thirty-eighth Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, in Tanzania, from June 28 to July 8, in a bid to strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries.

This would be South Africa’s first appearance at the event, which was aimed at promoting intra-Africa trade, as well as the economic integration of the continent.

The participation of the 14 local companies was made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme and formed part of the department’s export development strategy.

“As a department, we recognise the importance of increasing trade between South Africa and other countries on the continent with the aim of boosting intra-Africa trade. To achieve this, it is incumbent upon us to bring the key role-players, the businesspeople, into contact with each other so they can explore ways and means of doing business between the two countries.

“We are confident that the group of businesspeople that we have assisted to participate in the multisectoral international trade fair in Tanzania will not only showcase the best of the products and services that this country can offer, but will also find markets in East Africa to export their products to, and identify opportunities for investment and joint ventures,” Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said.

He added that participating in the fair would also enable representatives from the companies to gain regional and international business contacts, increase market knowledge about the Tanzanian market, appoint agents or distributors for their products, obtain trade leads and potentially sign a significant number of export orders.

Tanzania is South Africa’s thirteenth largest trading partner in Africa, with trade between the two countries standing at R4.67-billion.

During the past year, South Africa remained the fourth-largest exporter to the Tanzanian market, the DTI noted.

The main products exported to Tanzania last year included base metals and articles, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, sound recorders, mineral products, prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and transport equipment.