DURBAN, (The Southern African Times) – The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which has attracted delegates from across the African continent, starts in Durban on Monday.
The AITF, which is being attended by 15 heads of state, will see companies from the continent exhibiting their products.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the opening session on Monday.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, on Sunday said the fair will create 1 200 jobs and contribute to the province’s economic growth.
“This trade fair will serve as a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and therefore it paves the way for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA).”
The hosting of this event also augurs well for KZN’s economic recovery and reconstruction plan.
“Not only will the successful hosting of the IATF 2021 reaffirm KwaZulu-Natal as the destination of choice for tourism, trade and investment, but it will also serve as a strategic platform to accelerate the reconstruction and transformation of the KZN economy,” he said.
The fair, which will be held over the next six days, was being hosted by the Afrexim Bank in collaboration with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Secretariat.
According to Zikalala, the fair was expected to attract about 10 000 buyers and 1 100 exhibitors.
South Africa will leverage the trade fair to highlight the best of local manufacturing capabilities in, among others, the agriculture and agro-processing sector; consumer goods; energy and power; engineering; footwear; leather and textiles heavy industries.
