SA Businesspeople Depart for Mozambique Brimming with Optimism

A 20-member business delegation departs for Mozambique today where their companies will showcase their products and services in the 53rd edition of the Maputo International Trade Fair, commonly known as FACIM which is taking place from Monday 28 August to 3 September 2017. FACIM is an international multi-sectoral trade fair held annually to showcase Mozambique as an attractive destination for trade and investment.

The participation of the South African companies in the exhibition is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme with the aim of increasing exports of South African manufactured products to Mozambique. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.

The Managing Executive of the Port Elizabeth-based Fred Footwear, Mr Ronald Eboru, says his company is on a mission to explore opportunities in Southern Africa with the aim of exporting their products to several countries in the region.

“Our mission for going to Mozambique is two-fold. We want to gain knowledge and insight into the market in the country, and thereafter sit down and develop a strategy for converting the market knowledge into business,” says Eboru.

The Managing Director of the Durban-based Tekweni Foods, Mr George Fletcher says participating in the trade fair will provide his company with an opportunity to search for export opportunities in Mozambique and the neighbouring countries.

“We are optimistic that our products will attract the attention of businesspeople who will be visiting the exhibition. But we are specifically targeting supermarkets, wholesalers, retailers and distribution agents so that we can negotiate long-term deals that can result in us exporting our products to Mozambique and other countries,” says Fletcher. 

The Marketing Manager of Cape Town-based TruPVC Products, Mr Irerio Bero says travelling to Mozambique and exhibiting at FACIM is part of his company’s efforts to increase its foot print into the Southern Africa region.

“FACIM will afford us an opportunity to explore business opportunities in Mozambique in order to expand the market for our products. We are looking beyond Mozambique because of the fact that it is an international trade fair that attracts exhibitors and visitors from various parts of the world,” says Bero.

The Business Development Director of Tawanda Water Initiative   Mr Peter Malebana says he is optimistic that his company’s waste and drinking water management solutions will catch the eye of Mozambicans and other visitors to the exhibition.

“Our participation in FACIM will provide us with the perfect platform to introduce our services and products to hotel groups, property developers, estates and municipalities. These are the people who will benefit most from our waste water treatment plants which will enable them to recover 95% of their waste water for reuse. We are also targeting the Mozambican farming community with the aim of supplying them with water tanks,” says Malebana.

According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, FACIM will expose South African companies to trade and investment opportunities available in Mozambique and other countries participating in the exhibition.

South Africa’s participation in the 53rd edition of the Maputo International Trade Fair follows President Jacob Zuma’s visit to the country where he co-chaired the second session of the South Africa-Mozambique Binational Commission (BNC). President Zuma extended South Africa’s heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Mozambique for declaring the Matola Raid Monument a National Heritage site in June 2017. According to President Zuma, the Matola Raid and Interpretive Centre is a reminder of the joint history of struggle and solidarity that the two countries share. 

Distributed by APO on behalf of The Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa.