dti thumbs up for SA trade, investment expo

As the world scrutinises SA for development opportunities in the run-up to 2010, SATIE is providing a marketing event to showcase SA business to an international audience. The first major commercial initiative of its kind, SATIE takes place in London in October 2007 and features a conference, networking platforms and as a series of ‘pavilions’ for business sectors such as property, business process outsourcing, recruitment, tourism and, of course, 2010.

According to SATIE, the deal is seen as an important sign of growing confidence in economic growth in the region, too.

Auditors Grant Thornton have forecast that 2010 will create 160 000 jobs and that SA’s GDP will increase by R21.4 billion (approximately 2%). Tax revenues will increase by over R7 billion and the expenditure by spectators attending the event is forecast to be R12.7 billion.

SATIE organiser, Richard Fletcher suggests that these figures should not be ignored. “The opportunities for SA business are huge”, says Fletcher.

“Germany used the World Cup to great advantage by branding itself ‘the land of ideas’”, continues Fletcher. “With SATIE taking SA to London, we can help SA business be ahead of the game and of course, alive with possibility”.

The dti, which is using SATIE to help forge relationships with European companies and promote investment and export opportunities for SA business, joins a number of other diverse organisations that realise the benefit of exhibiting at SATIE in London.

Not just about business, SATIE will also showcase SA as a leisure destination too. Visitors will be able to enjoy South African beer in a shebeen replica, sample a ‘braai’ and ‘potjiekos’, stroll into the cheese and wine pavilion, listen live to SA bands and see how SA’s fashion designers can compete on the world’s runways.