30 June 2010
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies will lead a 30 member business delegation to the World Expo 2010 Shanghai for the launch of the trade and investment months from 3 to 8 July 2010. The delegation comprises business people from the metal, mining and capital equipment sectors, as well as officials from three provincial economic development agencies.
The theme of Expo 2010 Shanghai is "Better city, better life", representing the common wish of the whole humankind for better living in future urban environments. This theme represents a central concern of the international community for future policy making, urban strategies and sustainable development. South Africa’s participation is spread into sub-themes, with different government departments taking the lead for each month. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will lead and ensure execution of the trade and investment theme “A modern economy”, scheduled for the months of July and August.
The expo is a large-scale, global, non-commercial exhibition aimed at promoting the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology, to allow exhibitors to publicise and display their achievements and improve international relationship. It will be the biggest expo in history with over 200 participating countries and organisations.
A record number of African nations will attend the Expo 2010. Forty eight countries have confirmed their participation (including South Africa). The event is envisaged to attract about 184 countries and international organisations to take part in the exhibition as well as 70 million visitors from home and abroad, ensuring the widest possible participation in the history of the world expositions.
According to the Deputy Director-General of the dti’s Trade and Investments South Africa Division, Mr Iqbal Sharma, South Africa’s participation in the expo will strengthen mutually beneficial trade and economic ties between the two countries, raise the profile of South Africa–China relations, showcase South Africa’s technology advancement and innovation, mining beneficiation and technology capabilities, defence technology, agroprocessing, energy, ICT and engineering. It will also increase foreign direct investment into South Africa and increase joint ventures, as well as to Asia and globally, therefore enabling South African firms to take advantage of export opportunities in the Chinese market.
“Participation at the World Expo Shanghai 2010 has many advantages for South Africa. These include the fact that it informs visitors what a country has to offer, directly reaches a huge potential tourism market, could be used as a forum to attract investment, and trade and w ill generally elevate South Africa’s status internationally,” said Sharma.
For more information contact:
Bongani Lukhele
Cell: 074 299 8512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
30 June 2010
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.za/)
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