In February, the department withdrew funding for the local Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum to exhibit its products at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany. According to the department, the organisers had not sufficiently involved emerging South African producers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Fruit Logistica is seen as one of the most important trade fairs for South African fruit producers, yet, the sector was forced to attend the show with few resources, participants and products, said Wilmot James, DA spokesman on trade and industry. He accused the department of reneging on its promise last year to fund the exporters' forum. This, he said, had led to "a diminished and disorganised presence" of South African exporters at an event of great importance for the fruit export sector.
According to Business Day, Lionel October, director-general of trade and industry, said the exporters' forum lost the department's support because it failed to include a sufficient number of entrepreneurs and small businesses. The government, he said, expects departments to ensure that SMEs "are offered similar opportunities to access international markets and to be assisted to exhibit their products at these international trade fairs."
Read the full article on www.businessday.co.za.
