The 22-member business delegation participated in business seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits during the mission

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2017/APO/ -- 

The South African delegates who took part in the Trade and Investment Mission to Tunisia and Algeria have expressed gratification with the trade leads that they obtained during the week-long mission organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). The 22-member business delegation participated in business seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits during the mission.

The owner and Executive Director of the Tshete QS & Engineering Consultants, Mr Rendani Makhomu says he is happy to have been part of the mission which was his first in North Africa. He says the mission afforded him the opportunity to learn and understand the business environment in both Tunisia and Algeria.

“I had productive meetings with Tunisian and Algerian engineering companies during the mission, and as a result acquired leads that I will work on to have my services and offerings penetrate the market there,” says Makhomu.

The Executive Director of the Built Environment Export Council (BEPEC), Mr Con Korsten says although BEPEC is an established entity, platforms like trade and investment missions are still relevant to the company and to the benefit of their members.

“We had a very productive meeting with our Tunisian counterparts with possibilities of introducing our members’ services in their market. We also had successful meetings with Algerian construction companies in respect to exchanging of skills, technologies and possible cooperation in government construction tenders. The Algerian economy is going through a major transformation and as a result opens doors for South African construction companies to collaborate,” says Korsten.

Reflecting on the trip, the Managing Director of Treated Timber Products, Mr Howard Holley says the mission was very successful from his company’s perspective.

 “We really had a very successful trip and are coming back home with serious trade leads that can see us exporting our products to Algeria and Tunisia soon. We specialise in the production of transmission, telephone, fencing and building poles. With our six treating plants strategically positioned near Durban and Maputo harbours, we are able to serve the local and export market with comparative ease. It is possible to penetrate the North African region via Algeria,” says Holley.

For the Director of Mandalay Coatings, Mr Galliem Jacobs, the interest of a representative of an Algerian construction company in procuring coatings and similar products will turn his company’s fortunes around if he chooses to partner with him and result into a concrete deal.

“He said that Algeria is in the process of building business and residential properties across the city and outer areas, and industrial coatings and architectural paints complying with highest international specifications and standards for different environments are what he wants. That is what we offer. This can be a win-win situation for both of us,” says Jacobs.

The South African business delegation received financial support from the dti’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA) to participate in the Trade and Investment Mission.

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