“With 900 plus confirmed exhibitors from more than 40 countries, this year’s SAITEX and AB7 trade expos are bigger than ever, and together form the largest business opportunities event on the continent,” says John Thomson, managing director of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of the mega-events.

“Judging by last year’s attendance we can expect more than 15 000 visitors from about 54 countries to attend the shows,” continues Thomson. “With the volume of direct sales, downstream business deals and investments in sectors related to the ambit of the two shows, this R50-million could increase tenfold. The spinoffs for the South African economy in general are also enhanced, and will play a role across the subcontinent.”

SAITEX and AB7 have both built up high profile reputations with businesses and governments around the world. In fact, a number of countries are sending official trade delegations to attend the shows, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Russia, Singapore, the Sultanate of Oman, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. The delegations will also be setting up their own dedicated trade pavilions to promote trade with their countries.

In addition to the two multi-faceted trade shows, there are a number of business focused trade conferences, workshops and presentations scheduled to take place during the three days of the two shows:

1) DHL BRICS Africa Export Import Forum – BRICS country opportunity presentations – 16 and 17 July.
2) Future of Trade Africa 2012 – 16 July.
3) The 5^th International Halaal Conference – Navigating the Halaal Economy – 16 July.
4) Retailing Conference – 16 and 17 July.
5) Export / Import workshops for beginners and experts – 15 to 17 July.
6) SA National Bottled Water Conference – 16 to 18 July.

AB7 and SAITEX will take place from 15 to 17 July at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng.