UAE leads business delegation to Africa’s Big Seven Exhibition

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Trade (MoFT) and the Dubai Export Development Corporation have led a delegation of over 30 governmental departments, free zones and private businesses that took part under the UAE pavilion at Africa’s Big Seven Exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa from July 17 to 19, 2011, MoFT said in a statement.

Aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises in the UAE, the delegation seeks to explore new markets in the African continent, particularly in South Africa. The country is a key trading partner to UAE which has reported 21.7 per cent growth in trade volumes in 2010, reaching over $1 billion $878.3 million in 2009, the statement said.

Moreover, the MoFT has stepped up its focus on promoting UAE companies abroad –especially in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong – as part of its strategic plans for the fourth quarter of 2011.

The UAE delegation comprised several companies and authorities, including Dubai Export Development Corporation, Jebel Ali Free Zone, RAK Free Trade Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), General Holding Corporation, Palletco, Pure Ice Cream Co Ltd, Diamond Meat Processing, Falcon Packaging Factory, Dubai Refreshments, DoFreeze, Integrated Plastics Packaging, in addition to the National Food Products Company.

Africa’s Big Seven Expo is a combination of seven separate but co-located events that define the various stages and specific technologies required to move produce from the field through the processing, packaging and marketing phases eventually culminating in retail sales in Africa – a market with 725 million consumers.