The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) invites companies to apply for participation in a Trade Fair at World Food Warsaw in Poland. The fair will take place from 11-13 April 2017. Companies that would like to participate should submit their applications on or before 6 February 2017.

The trade fair is targeted at South African exporters and potential exporters of products from the agro-food and beverage sectors.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says the undertaking of this fair is part of the dti’s objective to diversify and create market access for South African products in new high growth markets.

“Since joining the European Union (EU), Poland has been one of EU’s best performers. The Gross Domestic Product doubled in the past decade. Under the recently implemented Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the EU has partially removed customs duties on 98.7% of imports coming from South Africa and this is beneficial to our exporters,” says Minister Davies.

He adds that Poland’s growing market of over 38.5 million consumers is expanding its tastes nationwide, so new products, flavours and varieties are in high demand across the country.

According to Minister Davies, this presents an opportunity for the South African exporters. He has urged exporters to capitalise on the opportunities presented within the current South African Development Community (SADC)-EPA environment.

Participating companies will be assisted through the dti’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Individual Scheme, which will cover costs for the return economy class airfare and the exhibition costs.