Mbabane: The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) and Taiwan Trade (TAITRA) are again facilitating the participation of local Eswatini based companies at a number of trade shows to take place in Taiwan this year.
The first three trade shows for the year which local companies are invited to participate in include Giftionery which will take place from 22 to 25 April 2021, Food Taipei which will take place from 3 – 26 June 2021 and the Taiwan International Beauty Show which will take place at a confirmed date in July 2021.
A press release sent by EIPA to this publication states that between June and December 2020, Eswatini participated in 4 trade events held in Taiwan with nine traders in the food and beverages sector and eight traders in the handcraft sector promoting their goods to buyers and distributors in Taiwan and Asia. These exhibitions benefited local companies as trade deals amounting to US$1.1 million (E17 million) were settled by Eswatini businesses with different companies who placed their orders for products from Eswatini.
More trade shows will take place throughout the year and will be announced as dates are finalised with organisers. Eswatini’s participation forms part the country’s efforts to deepen trade relations with Taiwan under the Economic Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in 2018.
Head of Trade at EIPA Bongani Ntshangase explaining the advantages for export in Eswatini, said International Trade shows are an excellent way for local businesses to penetrate global markets as consumers and distributors from all over the world are often on the lookout for unique goods to buy from exhibitors. “These exhibitions also create opportunities for exports from Eswatini therefore increasing our country’s external trade prospects and our trade balance”.
Eswatini has a number of goods which are export ready across a wide range of sectors. A lot of these products already meet export standards set by the different markets in which they will be sold abroad.”
Ntshangase noted that due to COVID-19 travel restrictions it is highly possible that businesses from Eswatini will not be able to attend the physical exhibitions. EIPA will however, provide support for virtual exhibitions and ensure that the products the companies would like to put on show are delivered to the exhibition sites for consumers and clients who will be attending the physical events in Taiwan. Interested parties should contact Thobile Mamba at dlaminitho@sipa.org.sz or 76219179.
He said opportunities that comes with the exhibitions exist in a wide range of sectors where local companies can participate and create demand for local products in global markets. He saidExport ready companies are encouraged to contact EIPA to discuss ways of participating in these international exhibitions, which have now proven to be less costly with the advent of virtual exhibitions and the rollout of e-commerce platforms.
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