JIA trade centre gets R5.4m sponsorship boost

NOMPELO NDZIMELA PLANS FOR the development of an international trade and exhibition centre at Johannesburg International Airport took a major step forward last week when ABSA signed a three year platinum sponsorship valued at R5.4m. The centre, to be known as the ABSA International Trade Bureau (AITB), will be located within 50m of the international arrivals terminal at JIA. The development is valued at R15m and is scheduled to open in mid-2005. It is a joint venture between developers ACSA and joint operators the International Trade Bureau and Nafcoc (Gauteng) Established in the early 1990s as part of the Carlton International Trade Centre, the ITB’s function was to provide an export consulting and support service to SMMEs. The AITB will be an extension of the ITB’s existing trade promotion services. Facilities will include permanent exhibition stands for premier exporters, an information desk, a library, refreshment areas, meeting rooms and offices.