SA exports to showcase at Japan fair

FMCG SUPPLIER NEWS

Fin24/ Sapa - May 27th, 08:43

Johannesburg - Nougat, rooibos tea espressos and art will be on display at the African Fair in Japan later this month, the trade and industry department said on Sunday.
 

"High-end items such as Rooibos espresso, Fairtrade wines and Wedgewood nougat will be showcased to appeal to the sharp Japanese palate," the department said in a statement.

It said the African Fair would take place in Japan from May 30 to June 2, during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

Art and design objects from Ardmore Ceramics and Carrol Boyes would also be exhibited.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said South Africa would also host a series of business seminars in Yokohama, Japan, from May 28 to 30.

"The investment seminars... aim to create awareness about business opportunities available in South Africa and convey critical aspects of South Africa's business climate."

The seminars would be hosted in partnership with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi United Financial of Japan (UFJ).

The ministry has a memorandum of understanding with the financial group behind the UFJ.

Davies said similar agreements with other Japanese institutions would be signed next week, with the aim of increasing foreign direct investment from Japan into South Africa.

He said next week's seminars would give South African businesses a chance to meet their Japanese counterparts.

South Africa aimed to diversify its export products to Japan.

"This would be achieved by focusing on manufactured goods in sectors such as agro-processing, automotives, clothing, leather and textiles, metals beneficiation, chemicals and pharmaceuticals," said Davies.

Japan is currently South Africa's third largest export destination, receiving goods such as dried and fresh fruits, nuts, cars, cane sugar and rock lobsters.