The twenty government-supported South African companies that showcased their products and services at the three-day DRC Mining Week, which started in Lubumbashi on Wednesday, 1 June 2022 and ended on Friday, expressed satisfaction with the productive engagements with potential clients and partners, acquired deals and secured sales.
The Managing Director of Orcafuels, Ms Bonita Botha, said she was thrilled about bringing her products to the DRC soon. These include self-bunded tanks, remote refuelling systems, and bulk fuel dispensing solutions.
“We are optimistic that our products will be in the DRC market soon. We are looking forward to partnering with a local company and access the opportunities that we have identified during the exhibition,” added Botha.
The Chief Executive Officer of Rise Uniforms, Ms Ntombie Nonxuba, who was showcasing for the first time outside South Africa, said she managed to acquire trade leads from the DRC, Kenya and Zambia. She expressed gratefulness at the opportunity provided by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to interact with potential partners who were interested in her protective clothing and corporate wear.
The Managing Director of Prelec Group of Companies, Mr Reuben Matlapeng said he managed to secure an order for his group of companies’ products and services, which include electrical connections and repairing of cables. He also expressed optimism that the meetings he held with potential partners, buyers, and technical people will yield positive results soon.
“There are unlimited opportunities for everyone in DRC mining sector,” asserted Matlapeng.
South Africa’s Foreign Economic Representative in the DRC, Mr Siphamandla Kumkani said the show was an opportunity for the the dtic to execute its mandate to increase, expand and diversity markets for the export of South African goods and services into DRC in particular, and the African Content at large.
“The show enabled us to highlight the best of South Africa’s manufacturing capability and services in order to contribute in increasing the intra-African trade. The South African firms took the opportunity to build linkages with potential partners and buyers with both hands. It was encouraging to hear our businesspeople expressing satisfaction with their participation as they managed to engage with potential clients and partners, acquired deals and secured sales,” said Kumkani
He emphasised the importance of follow-ups and working with the South African Embassy and the South African Consulate officials in order to turn the trade leads that the South African companies acquired into deals and partnerships to be realised.
“However, our businesspeople need to remain patient and persistent, as the market is not an easy one. This market is huge and needs the South African businesspeople to collaborate with the Congolese companies and create mutual economic benefits for everyone. Given the myriad opportunities that exist in the DRC market in general, it would be ideal to add more sectors such as energy, agriculture and health to the South African pavillion,” added Kumkani.
The South African companies that exhibited in the pavillion were funded by the dtic under its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA), whose objective is to develop new export markets for South African products.
Over 5 200 people are reported to have visited the exhibition.
The South African companies that were supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to showcase their products and services at the three-day DRC Mining Week that ended in Lubumbashi on Friday.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
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E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
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