The South Africa International Industrial Expo & China (South Africa) International Trade Expo will be held from August 30 to September 1 at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, under the slogan ‘Together, Growing Industries’, with the aim to promote trade and cooperation between South Africa and China, as well as to solidify the countries’ commitments as key members of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) bloc.

The international exhibition covers various industrial categories and includes participation by enterprises and institutions from South Africa, Southern Africa and all other African countries.

This year’s event follows last year’s successful inaugural one, which was held in December at the same venue.

The South Africa International Industrial Expo aims to enhance bilateral trade between China and South Africa; engender job opportunities; pave the way for potential joint ventures within South Africa; and bolster the standards and levels of industrialisation within South Africa.

This was noted during an August 21 press conference in Sandton, coinciding with the Brics Summit that is currently being held in Johannesburg.

The expo is being hosted by Golden Bridge Expo South Africa, a newly established international economic and trade platform.

Golden Bridge Expo South Africa deputy GM Steve Zhou said the expo stands as a testament to the bond between the two countries and, with it set to be held just after the Brics Summit, it is aimed at transferring discussions from the summit into actionable plans.

He highlighted that more than 200 Chinese manufacturers were set to participate in the expo.

The Gauteng Economic Development Department expressed its support for the expo, highlighting that the platform creates an opportunity for inclusion of many of those that have been excluded from the mainstream economy.

It added that the retail and services sector are critical to the national economy, and the expo provides a platform for small, medium-sized and microenterprises that will increase their roles in these sectors.

South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry VP Neil Pollock said the expo would provide an opportunity to bring businesses that are successful in China to South Africa, and that South Africa should see how it can help these businesses improve so that they can bring their technology, goods and services into the country. 

He called for businesses to see this an opportunity to partner and grow together, rather than as a threat.