More than 130 African exhibitors are expected to showcase an extensive range of products (including technical textiles, industrial footwear and uniform manufacturers) and services to key International and African decision makers and buyers at Source Africa Trade Event in Cape Town, South Africa.
According to the organisers of the event, Source Africa will be Africa’s most important sourcing event for the African textile, apparel & footwear industries this year. The event will bring together business leaders and decision makers from across Africa – providing a platform for buyers to network with African manufacturers all under one roof.
“The two main objectives of this important business trade show is to promote African made textiles, apparel & footwear to local and international buyers as well as grow intra-regional trade between African countries,” the organisers say.
African Pavilions already part of the event include Mauritius (Enterprise Mauritius), Lesotho (LNDC), Swaziland (SIPA), Zambia (ZDA), Madagascar (MADAPROD), Botswana (BITC), Mozambique (CPI & IPEX), South Africa (SAFLEC), (Cape Town Fashion Council), (Free State Development Council), (KZN Trade & Investment) and individual participation from South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria & Zimbabwe.
Source Africa has the full support of USAID Southern African Trade Hub who are promoting the show to buyers in Europe, USA and Africa.
“We also have the full support of AAFA (American Apparel & Footwear Association) who will be organising the seminar series alongside the show, AMSA (Apparel Manufacturers of SA), SAFLEC (SA Footwear & Leather Export Council), SATIEC (SA Textile Industry Export Council), S A Technical Textile Cluster, the DTI, Trade & Investment KZN, WESGRO, TEXFED, Cape Chamber of Commerce, Leading Women of Africa, EXSA, Cape Town Fashion Council, SAACI, etc.”
Over 4 days Source Africa will feature the following exciting events: Business seminars on 9 & 12 April – addressing topics such as why sourcing from Africa makes sense, explaining what buyers want from Africa, highlighting investment opportunities in the region as well as addressing compliance and proper environmental stewardship and best practices, labeling product safety and customs barriers.
The event will also have an opening cocktail reception on 9 April – featuring industry & government leaders, exhibitors, local and international buyers, media, industry associations and other important VIPs.
There will also be two full days of trade exhibition on 10 & 11 April – promoting African manufactured products and highlighting trade opportunities of textiles, apparel and footwear.
Source Africa Trade Event will be held from 9 – 12 April 2013, in CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa.