Smaller Eastern Cape exporters will soon be able to gain access to a broader market with the planned opening in June of the Absa International Trade Bureau at Johannesburg International Airport.

This concept is based on similar successful permanent exhibition centres across the world that house exporters in a single venue accessible to potential buyers or importers.

The South African version, a partnership between the privately run bureau and the Airports Company of SA, has the unique feature that it is on the doorstep of the airport’s international arrivals hall at Terminal 1.

The 2 200m² trade centre will be arranged into 14 distinct sectors, accommodating 122 exhibitors.

While geographically removed from the Eastern Cape, very real opportunities exist for large and small companies to take part.

This is primarily by way of the four stands taken up by the ECDC in the transport and automotive, textiles, agri-processing and tourism, arts and culture sectors.

The corporation has committed to a two-year contract at the trade centre, which it will use to promote Eastern Cape exporters.

The second entry point, particularly for smaller exporters, is through the Small Enterprise Development Agency stands.

The agency has committed to a stand in each of the 14 sectors.

Teresa Jardim of Seda told delegates at the conference that exporters would be rotated every three months across the various sectors.

The rotation would be on both the types of products offered as well as across geographical regions.
SME exporters would be charged around R1 000 a month to participate with Seda at the centre.
Companies that wish to establish a stand-alone presence can also do so. The ITB is selling exhibition space according to the duration of an exhibition at the centre.

All two-year contracts (at R97 500 for the period) have been sold out, with a one-year option available at R67 500 and a six-month exhibition contract available for R43 125.

Turning to opportunities in the province, ECDC CEO Kevin Wakeford provided an overview of key projects representing growth potential.

He was upbeat about future prospects, stating that the province “should be the nexus of economic development in South Africa”.

“Over time it is quite conceivable that we will probably be one of the most important provincial economies for all exports,” he said.

He pointed out that the Eastern Cape was a net importer of goods and services and had a long way to go to re- establish itself as an economic hub.

To this end, he said, a number of projects had been identified to regain lost ground. These included the agriculture and agri-processing industries, forestry and timber, tourism, and the two IDZs.

Projects identified under the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative – the Umzimvubu Catchment Development and Gariep Water Transfer project – he said would add further impetus to the regional economy.