Excitement is rising as the province gets ready to host its sixth annual Export Symposium on August 21 and 22 at the East London ICC.
The initiative, which includes a two-day conference, exhibition and match-making meetings, is likely to draw a number of global trade representatives as well as SA’s export trade fraternity.
With more than 300 delegates and 3000 visitors from over 200 companies and ten countries expected, the symposium offers a prime opportunity to engage with key figures in African and global trade.
Host and organiser Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), anticipating that symposium and sideshow event tickets will sell out again, advises early booking to avoid disappointment.
CEO Ayanda Wakaba, citing “untapped potential for exports from the Eastern Cape”, said one aim of the symposium is developing new markets and partnerships for trade.
The theme is “Highways to Global Trade - Explore the Eastern Cape’s path to opportunities and relationships”.
EC boasts significant contributions to various sectors. It is a global leader in mohair production, a major hub for automotive production, and a prominent player in the global citrus market.
“Despite these accomplishments, there is untapped potential for agricultural production and other exports in the province, along with promising opportunities for importing goods from Africa,” Wakaba said.
Driven by the slogan “Think Eastern Cape: Think Opportunities”, the symposium and exhibition's main aim is to promote trade and supply networks, facilitate access to markets and resources, and platform the latest research.
Over 70 trade specialists from sectors such as automotive, agriculture, renewable energy, environmental products, and natural fibres (including hemp and cannabis), along with regional and national trade policy-makers, will unpack opportunities.
The second major focus is cutting-edge, in-depth analysis of developments and opportunity presented by SA’s international trade agreements.
Over 60 organisations, both exporters and export development agencies, will exhibit at the symposium.
“The symposium offers valuable resources, in-depth analysis, and networking opportunities for SA's export community.
"It is a magnet for traders from the rest of the country, as well as international buyers and policymakers,” Wakaba said.
“Raising export volumes in the region and tapping new opportunities — particularly in agriculture and small and medium businesses — have a vital role to play in inclusive and sustainable economic growth,’’ he added.
Exhibitors will represent several of the province's priority sectors, including automotive, agro-processing, agriculture, and products and services related to the circular economy and renewables.
Workshop topics planned for the symposium include:
• Automotive Exports – new opportunity and resources;
• Agricultural Exports - Fruit, vegetable, crops, livestock, wool and mohair;
• Renewable Energy, sustainability and the zero-emissions economy;
• Building a new value-chain for natural fibres, including hemp; and
• Support for 40 export-ready SMMEs.
There will be online meetings for international buyers and others who can't be there in person.
The province is SA’s biggest lemon producer, it exports more than half of light vehicles produced in SA, it has the largest percentage of its livestock (38% of goats, 30% of sheep and 25% of cattle), it produces more than 15 million kilograms of wool a year and supplies more than half of the world’s mohair.
The province is home to 16% of the country’s milk producers, accounting for 26% of the milk produced in South Africa.
To reserve seats at the event go to info@ecexportsymposium.co.za or contact Athenkosi Zinyane on +27 82 558 1317.
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