Summit presents trade opportunities

Anna Cox THE WORLD Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be held in Johannesburg from August 26 to September 4 will present many trade and investment opportunities for South African businesses, said chairman of the WSSD Business Co-ordinating Forum, Tokyo Sexwale. A Business Week, organised by South Africa RAI, will be held during the summit at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton from August 30 to September 2. "South African businesses ought to ensure that every possible opportunity to develop our business and economy is examined and harnessed. It will be a premier platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as medium-to-large businesses to explore new and existing opportunities and in doing so, expand their business through trade and investment," he said. The SA Business Week comprises four separate, but focused exhibitions - the Matchmaking Opportunity Exhibition, the Black Economic Empowerment Exhibition, the Biz Expo and the Eskom Small Business Opportunity Exhibition. The Matchmaking Opportunity Exhibition, said Liz Hart of South Africa RAI, is a trade and investment initiative with a strong focus on strategic business partnerships and business linkages. "It explores trade opportunities with foreign countries specifically looking at imports and exports," she said. At present there are 24 countries represented on the exhibition through their foreign trade offices and embassies. The exhibition also promotes foreign direct investment into the various national and provincial investment agencies, as well as exploring valuable business linkages with public private sector partnerships. The Biz Expo, which is in its 10th year, takes place at Gallagher Estate. It is AfricaÕs longest and largest franchise and business opportunity exhibition and will showcase a wide variety of business and investment opportunities. Tensile 1, the worldÕs largest tent, which has been put up at the Wanderers Club, will also, amongst others, be used as an exhibition centre for businesses and as a platform for networking between delegates, visitors and the public where people can unite to stimulate dialogue and maximise partnerships opportunities. Various government departments will have stands there in the South African Pavilion.