S. Africa backs 35 firms for CIIE to tap major market

The South African government said on Tuesday it will fund 35 companies to take part in the upcoming China International Import Expo in Shanghai, aiming to showcase their products and services and capitalize on opportunities in the Chinese market.

Lerato Mataboge, deputy director-general of exports at South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, said China's rising domestic consumption will offer more opportunities to South African products.

"The exhibition is aligned with our strategic objectives of advancing South African exports through assisting new and existing South African exporters to penetrate international markets. The CIIE 2024 is one of the leading import-themed fairs in China, and a key platform to profile our offerings to South Africa's largest trading partner and the second-largest economy in the world," she said.

"The Chinese economy is seeing increasing levels of consumption, which also reflects growing potential and demand for certain imported products."

The 35 South African companies represent diverse sectors, including agro-processing, textiles, clothing and leather, oil and gas, electro-technical, information and communications technology, and mining.

The seventh edition of the expo, which is scheduled to take place in early November, will also immerse participating companies in the culture of doing business with Chinese enterprises, Mataboge said.

This year's CIIE will attract exhibitors from more than 150 countries, regions and international organizations, with a total exhibiting area of more than 420,000 square meters, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. Previous expos facilitated deals totaling more than $420 billion across six editions, it said.

Wu Peng, Chinese ambassador to South Africa, recently invited South African companies and businesses from around the world to take part in this year's CIIE.

Wu's remarks to academics, business leaders and diplomatic representatives during a discussion on the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit held in Beijing in September highlighted how China has been opening its markets to the world to foster shared prosperity with countries worldwide.

Philani Mthembu, executive director of the South African think tank Institute for Global Dialogue, said the CIIE offers South African companies a platform to showcase their products to a global audience. He urged participants to maximize this opportunity for new business and partnership prospects.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.