Indian business, policy-makers buoyant after South African expo

JOHANNESBURG: Indian businesses and government sector organisations are buoyant about prospects for increased exports and joint ventures with African companies after their participation at the annual South African International trade Exhibition ( SAITEX).

There was a huge interest shown by visitors at the exhibition where its members had participated, said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ( APEDA) representative V K Kaul.

"We had a very good response and will now build on the interest shown by many companies in teaming up with us," Kaul said, adding that there has been a particular interest in basmati rice, which has been one of the success stories of Indian exports to South Africa in recent years and continues to grow.

"We have also been trying to find out what are the needs of the different regions of South Africa so that we can segment our efforts accordingly for the varying product demand."

Indian businesses have been participating in large numbers at the event for the past decade with ever increasing numbers.

Other Indian government agencies represented at SAITEX included the Ministry of Food Processing, India Trade Promotion Authority, National Small Industries Corporation, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and Trade Promotion Authority of Uttar Pradesh.