The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) is set to lead a delegation of local companies to the Salon International de l’alimentation International Food Exhibition in France, as part of efforts to explore new markets.
Taking place in the capital, Paris, the Salon International de l’alimentation (SIAL) International Food Exhibition will get underway on Sunday.
A total of 38 local agro-processing companies will take part in the world’s largest food products exhibition to be held this year.
The local companies who will tickle the taste buds of the world will partake in the exhibition through the dti’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investments into the country.
Speaking ahead of the five-day exhibition, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the companies which form part of the delegation have seasoned expertise within the food sector and range in size from established food processors, small, micro and medium enterprises and emerging exporters.
SIAL is the global showcase for the food industry with unrivalled geographic coverage of Europe and the rest of the world which specialises in the food processing industry.
The trade show is dedicated to the agri-food industry, food retail, and institutional and commercial catering.
“The SIAL brand of exhibitions has since given rise to six other trade fairs that have a presence in China, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Brazil and the Philippines. It was obligatory that we assemble our best agro-processing companies to participate at this exhibition so that we can establish a footprint within these potential markets,” said Davies.
SIAL Paris which will run from 21 to 25 October is expected to be a bigger source of inspiration than ever for the world’s food industry.
A total 7 020 companies from over 100 countries will be presenting their products to retail and foodservice professionals. All manner of food products, from ingredients through equipment to end products, will be on show across 21 exhibition sectors. – SAnews.gov.za
