South African companies participating in the Electra Mining Africa Exhibition believe the exposure will help provide new export markets and propel their businesses to greater success.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) partnered to support emerging local businesses serving the mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport industries to showcase their businesses at the exhibition
The week-long exhibition was held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 5-9 September 2022. the dtic in partnership with GGDA financed the exhibition stands for local businesses.
The Managing Director of Metal Engineering Manufacturing Works, a beneficiary of the government partnership, Mr Kofi Asiedu-Darkwah, says they have received overwhelming interest in their products since the exhibition started and are convinced this will translate to much needed revenue and new markets for their company.
Asiedu-Darkwah indicated that they received enquiries which were translating to actual orders of their products.
“As a majority black-owned company we are happy to showcase the reality and strength of a South African black industrialist. We are also very positive that this opportunity will open doors for us to export our product offerings to world markets.
“We are also passionate about empowering young people in our country with skills and we believe our success through this initiative will allow us to do more for the youth in the country who are unemployed and frustrated,” he said.
According to StatsSA, the mining industry accounted for about 1.5 million both indirect and direct (451,427) jobs in 2020.
The sector contributed 8.2% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attracted over R575 billion in export earnings, contributed R608 billion in total mineral sales, R27.2 billion in corporate taxes and R11.8 billion in royalties.
The Acting Deputy Director-General of Industrial Competitiveness and Growth at the dtic, Dr Nimrod Zalk, says the main aim for government to support participation of exhibitors is to increase domestic manufacturing in order to supply local and foreign markets, support broader economic development and promote employment growth.
“This will aid in creating a more inclusive economy and create more opportunities for entry into the industrial sector. The South African government, through various pieces of legislation, has been advocating for industrialisation and transformation throughout the mining supply chain.
“Transformation is meant to ensure that historically disadvantaged South Africans benefit more from South Africa’s mineral wealth. These policies, coupled with complex environmental and labour laws require a distinct way of identifying opportunities for local manufacturers servicing mining companies operating in South Africa,” added Zalk.