UAE targets Southern Africa for exports at Africa’s Big Seven 2011 Expo
Aiming to provide practical on the ground knowledge on export opportunities in Southern Africa, Dubai Exports, an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) – Government of Dubai, hosted an information and networking sessions for UAE companies from the food & beverage and packaging industries that will participate in Africa’s Big Seven 2011 Exhibition, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from July 17th to 19th.
The event was also attended by other companies eager to enter the market and capitalise on opportunities that exist in these markets.
In partnership with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and Dubai Exports, a 12-organisation trade delegation will exhibit at the event. Dubai Exports offers support to the exhibitors by equipping them with valuable input to ensure their success in forming new trade partnerships. The information provided showed exporters about the viability of South Africa as a gateway to the Southern African markets for the future and growth of local UAE products.
“The Africa’s Big Seven Expo offers numerous opportunities for UAE exporters to network and establish ties with the food manufacturing and distribution industries. With the help of our support services, including financial support through our Export Assistance Program, these ties can be strengthened to ensure mutual gain of manufacturers and local exporters,” said Engineer Saed Al Awadi, CEO, Dubai Exports.
“South Africa, with its enormous potential, is a target export market for the UAE. After our successful participation at this exhibition last year, this year we came back with our biggest delegation yet. Through this exhibition, we hope to encourage more companies to consider South Africa as a suitable market for our local products,” he added.
Attended by delegates from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and Dubai Exports’ members, the informative session took the exhibitors on a journey from understanding the trade activities between members of the South African Development Community and the UAE to sector-specific export opportunities in the food & beverage and packaging sectors and finally the overall business culture of that region.
Dr Ashraf Mahate, Head of Export Market Intelligence at Dubai Exports, talked about ‘Trade between the UAE and Southern Africa, while Abdelwahid Afennas, the Senior Regional Consultant at Euromonitor International (MENA & Turkey), discussed export opportunities in various sectors. Attendees also received a package containing information on regulations and certifications on importing into South Africa.
Exports from the UAE to Southern Africa doubled from US$483 million in 2009 to US$986 million in 2010. It is predicted that with an annual increase of 200 million new consumers each year the African continent offers UAE-based firms considerable opportunities.
“Almost all African countries have experienced a positive growth in their economy over the last few years. With strong commodity prices and relative stability in the region it is expected that the continent will continue on this upward trajectory. With economic growth predicted at an average 3.5% per year over the next five years it is expected to translate into an annual increase in consumer spending of 35%,” Mahate said.
A short presentation by Schuyler D’Souza, CCO of the Export Credit Insurance Company of the Emirates, detailed a special offer on export credit insurance to all exhibitors. Finally, Richard Harris, a locally-based South African businessman and Business Desk Manager of the South African Business Council in the UAE, gave exporters pointers on the business culture of South Africa.
Dubai Exports is hosting its largest delegation to date to exhibit at Africa’s Big Seven Exhibition. Exhibiting companies under the UAE Pavilion include the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, Dubai Exports, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), RAK Free Trade Zone Authority, Pure Ice Creams, Diamond Meat Processing, Falcon Pack, Dubai Refreshments, Dofreeze, Palletco LLC, Integrated Plastic Packaging, General Holding Corporation and National Food Products Company.
Africa’s Big Seven Expo is an annual event that combines the seven steps involved in food production, occurring at various stages and requiring specific technologies – transporting produce out of the field and towards stages of processing, packaging and marketing, and ultimately retail sales.
