India’s largest delegation yet has participated in this year’s Southern African International Trade Exhibition (Saitex), which ran from June 22 to 24 in Midrand, Johannesburg, to further grow bilateral trade between India and South Africa.

The delegation consisted of 90 delegates, with more than 60 of those Indian small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), which is significant, owing to the recent establishment of South Africa’s small-business Ministry.

Consul General of India Randhir Jaiswal highlighted at a media briefing in Johannesburg last week that India was committed to increasing the amount of trade between the two countries.

From 2012 to 2013, trade between India and South Africa amounted to $13.9-billion, with imports from India comprising $5.1-billion and exports from South Africa comprising $8.8-billion.

“The trade between both countries is robust. Through Saitex, there was significant opportunity for Indian companies to interact with South Africa businesses and organisations. We attach importance to South Africa as a Brics (the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa grouping) member and a friend, as well as a supporter and partner of India,” Jaiswal stated.

He added that Saitex also provided an opportunity to boost the South Africa economy and grow the SME focus.

The Indian companies displayed a range of products and technologies at Saitex and Jaiswal stated that there was substantial potential for further growth in bilateral trade, particularly between India and South Africa in the pharmaceuticals, information technology, automotive, chemicals, machinery, minerals and natural resources sectors.

Further, he noted that India was particularly interested in learning about the South African food processing industry and the best practices that could be applied to its own industry.

“There is much synergy to be established between India and South Africa and we look forward to building on the last few years of our partnership to make our engagement stronger,” Jaiswal concluded.