Details of a new three-day conference in Johannesburg have been revealed today, which runs alongside SAITEX 2018 the continent’s most important event for exporters and importers.

Representative from Africa’s largest international trading partners including Brazil, China, USA, Turkey and Germany, will be at The Trade Development Forum in Johannesburg, which runs from June 24 to 28.

“SAITEX has grown in its 24 years to become an event that attracts government officials, diplomats, importers, retail and business leaders from across Africa and the world,” said Christine Davidson, Vice President of dmg events, organiser of SAITEX 2018.

“This new conference, The Trade Development Forum, has been introduced alongside SAITEX to meet the needs of those visitors wanting a chance for an exchange of ideas, to network and understand the challenges and solutions of trade as we move into the second decade of the 21st Century.”

The Trade Development Forum will cover a range of issues including on Day 1, the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), Africa’s EU-style single market plan. Wamkele Mene, Chief Director: Africa Multilateral Economic Relations, International Trade & Economic Development Division, Department of Trade & Industry will look at the CFTA and the forecast its impact on trade.

There are conference sessions on doing business in countries across Southern Africa, including Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland as well as individual provinces in South Africa – Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga.

There are two key sessions on Day 2, one looking at finance options for SMEs and the second dealing with access to the newly announced R4.9 billion government support for special economic zones (SEZ) over the next three years to be used in SEZs and industrial hubs to expand economic opportunities.

And a representative of the African Development Bank will present a special report at the conference giving the latest economic outlook for African trade. It will include an overview of the key trends, short and long-term infrastructure plans and discuss the importance of industrialisation in creating jobs, reducing poverty and promoting economic growth.

“Despite impressive growth towards the end of 2017, African countries struggle with challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality, commodity dependence as well as attracting business and investment,” said Davidson. “This session will offer not only insight, but also potential solutions guiding the way ahead.”

South Africa remains the gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa and the SAITEX expo brings more than 36 countries to exhibit and visitors from around the world for three days in Johannesburg. The new conference will enable key business and government leaders from across the region to come together under one roof in front of delegates who will move African trade forward.

To find out more about SAITEX 2018 go to www.saitexafrica.com

Press information

SAITEX 2018 runs from June 25-27 at The Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. SAITEX is Africa’s largest international product sourcing expo. It includes consumer electronics and home appliances, homeware and household, building materials supplies and tools as well as fashion and giftware. It attracts hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers showcasing the most advanced products. more details www.saitexafrica.com

dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa was founded in 1989 and has operated in the Middle East since 1995 and owns some the region’s biggest shows including The Hotel Show Dubai and The Big 5, the Middle East’s biggest construction event. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE and with satellite offices in India, South Africa and the UK, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa organises more than 80 events across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. The events attract more than 250,000 customers every year and provide opportunities for trade professionals to do business, network and learn. For more information visit www.dmgeventsme.com

DMGT manages a balanced multinational portfolio of entrepreneurial companies, with total revenues of almost $3bn, that provide a diverse range of businesses and consumers with compelling information, analysis, insight, news and entertainment. The company employs more than 10,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.  DMGT aims to provide the highest quality information, insight and services to attractive growth markets in innovative ways, building on a track record of earnings and dividend growth. For more information visit www.dmgt.com

For further information, please contact: Gary Wright, Head of PR & Comms, dmg Africa

E: [email protected] T:  +27 (0) 11 783 7250 W: www.dmgeventsme.com 

A:  P O Box 650302 BENMORE 2010,  South Africa