Posted: January 31, 2020
Free State Company on Mission to Expand Market to West Africa |
A Bloemfontein-based Free State company, Basils Business Opportunities, is on a mission to expand its footprint for their agro-processing equipment to West Africa, The Founder and Director of the company, Mr Basil Phupha will be one of the about 40 businesspeople who will participate in the Outward Trade and Investment Mission to Ghana and Nigeria that will take place from 9-14 February 2020. The mission, which is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will consist of business seminars, a series of business-to-business meetings, and site visits.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Nomalungelo Gina says the objective of the mission is to increase bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and the two West African countries. “We are looking forward to the trip to Ghana and Nigeria as it provides us with a golden opportunity to expand our market to West Africa. We are currently exporting our agro-processing equipment to neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and eSwatini. We are determined to find companies in Ghana Nigeria that can import our products and distribute them in the two countries and the rest of the sub-region,” says Phupha. He adds that he is optimistic that his mission of finding a market for his products in the two West African countries will be a success as he is in contact with Ghanaian and Nigerian companies that have already shown interest in his equipment. “In addition to the business-to-business meetings organised by the dti, we have arranged meetings with several companies that have contacted us to enquire about our products. The mission could not have come at a more opportune time as we want to be on the ground and speak to the companies directly. This will make these businesspeople trust us and realise that we are serious about doing business with them,” says Phupha. Basils Business Opportunities, which employs six people, was established in 2016. The company is manufacturing agro-processing equipment and supplies agro-processing businesses that are adding value to their agricultural produce. “Our machines are in high demand in the agro-processing industry as they are meant to increase production and efficiency. We are optimistic that we will be able to market them successfully in Ghana and Nigeria as this will enable us to produce more machines to service the new export orders. In this way, we will be compelled to increase our production, expand our business, employ more people and contribute in growing South Africa’s economy by bringing in the much-needed foreign revenue into the country,” says Phupha. Enquiries: |