Posted: May 15, 2019
Western Cape Company hopes to increase share of Wine Market in Uganda |
The efforts of the Western Cape wine company, Bridge of Hope Wines, to increase its market share in Uganda will receive a major boost when it participates in the Outward Trade and Investment Mission to Kampala next week. The mission, which takes place from 19-24 May 2019 is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme.
One of the objectives of the scheme is to develop export markets for the South African products and services. More than 1 000 companies benefitted from the scheme in the last financial year. The Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope, Ms Rosemary Mosia will be one of the 25 businesspeople who will be travelling to Uganda on Sunday. “We are already exporting small quantities of our wines to Uganda since last year after signing a deal with an importer that I first met when I visited the country during a trip organised by Wines of South Africa (WOSA) three years go. I am hoping to get another importer next week so that we can export more and increase the presence of our wines in the country. I will also be hosting a private wine-tasting session for the Ugandan wine buyers and we are optimistic that we will have a successful trip,” says Mosia, whose company is based in Wellington and employs 10 people. She adds that the consumption and demand of the South African wines were growing steadily in Uganda as more people become aware of the good quality and irresistible taste associated with the SA wines. “One of our objectives is to use the mission to create brand awareness while in Uganda. We see potential for our brand as the wine industry in Uganda is growing. The fact that there are not many complicated rules and regulations works in our favour. In addition, the Ugandans have realised that it is easier and cheaper for them to get wine from South Africa instead of importing it from Europe, as they have been doing,” adds Mosia whose company is already exporting wines to West Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, the main objective of the mission is to increase bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and Uganda. In addition to increasing trade and investment between South Africa and Uganda, the mission is also expected to boost efforts of the dti to assist participating companies create job opportunities where they are located. Companies that manage to successfully obtain orders or secure deals with distributors and importers will increase their production and certainly create more jobs to meet the new export demand. Enquiries: |