The exhibitions will take place from 23 to 26 October 2007 at the EXPO Centre, NASREC in Johannesburg.

INDEE will provide a platform to Indian exporters to showcase their technological achievements and products from 41 engineering sectors including, among others, castings and forgings, hand and machine tools, industrial machinery, mechanical engineering products, construction machinery, pharmaceutical machinery, ferrous and non-ferrous metal based engineering items and medical & surgical instruments," said Pierre Potgieter, MTI business development director.

Latest total trade figures show that the economic relationship between the two countries has shown remarkable growth since 1994 - a recorded 4.9 billion rand have been achieved for the period Jan - June 2006 with many more potential growth areas for India's exports to South Africa.

"MTI on the other hand will showcase all aspects of the manufacturing chain, from raw material and input suppliers, through manufacturing support suppliers i.e. tooling, technology and instrumentation, to output management including storing and picking, logistics, materials handling and packaging." In addition, said Mr Potgieter, a unique Business Matchmaking Programme will ensure that exhibitors meet face-to-face with clearly identified, pre-profiled buyers and decision makers.

"This programme is free to all MTI/INDEE exhibitors and pre-registered visitors," he explained. South Africa and the sub continent already have strong political and economic ties. The two countries co-operate in the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) partnership.

IBSA is aimed at promoting closer cooperation amongst the three nations, particularly in stimulating economic growth and promoting co-ordination on global issues. In September 2006, President Thabo Mbeki led a high level South African delegation to the first IBSA Heads of State Summit, in Brasilia, Brazil.

Various trilateral agreements were signed amongst the regional powers, further cementing south-south cooperation. The IBSA heads of revenue also signed agreements to avoid double taxation during the course of 2006.

The partnership also seeks to advance the developmental agenda of the South and promote closer coordination on global issues among the three nations. In terms of trade between the two countries, the most important products exported to India are gold and silver, coal and briquettes, iron and steel, inorganic and organic chemicals, electrical goods, non-ferrous metals, crude fertiliser, pulp and waste paper and petroleum crude. South Africa's imports from India are dominated by cotton yarn, finished leather goods, machinery and instruments, handmade yarn fabrics, chemicals, spices, rice, handicrafts and handmade carpets.

A commercial business alliance was also established between South Africa and India, called the India-South Africa Commercial Alliance (ISACA), in October 1997. ISACA aims to promote trade, investment and commercial relations between South Africa and India.

The Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa and The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India share the responsibility of the secretariat.

Source: All Africa