North West Provincial Government through DEDECT is yet again taking centre stage at the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, thereby ensuring that its SMMEs and Cooperatives are not being left behind, but claiming their space in this Africa’s biggest trade fairs which is taking place from 14 – 16 September 2023 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.
The department in this edition of the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, has afforded 9 enterprises from the province an opportunity to showcase their self-manufactured organic and natural products to local and international buyers and potential investors.
The enterprises supported by DEDECT for this trade fair include Luscious Agro Processing Secondary Cooperative (Palesa Memane), Shalama Cooperative (Salvation Kgobe), Eden Roots, Tshego M Creation, Lefakong Moringa, business_yourhighness, House Of Bliss, Mosadi Temo Organics , and Nitringo’s Trading (Kenalemang Mooketsi). This initiative forms part of the departmental ‘Access to Market Programme’, which aims to advance economic growth by creating an enabling environment for the development and growth of sustainable SMMEs. These market exposure opportunities the department creates also seek to ensure contribution to economic growth, and job creation through supporting SMMEs and Cooperatives.
Officials from the departmental Biodiversity Management as the custodians of Bioprospecting and Biotrade in the province are also providing support to the SMMEs by engaging them as part of their responsibility, on the importance of compliance with the Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations (2007) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) Act 10 of 2004.
Compliance with the regulations is necessary for businesses in the organic and natural products trading industry, as this opens up a gateway to international exports and a bigger market share for those involved with the use of indigenous biological resources.
The Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa which is in collaboration with the African Biotrade Festival, is a distinctive trade fair on the African continent, devoted exclusively to organic and natural products. The Expo is of considerable importance as it fosters the development and exchange of organic and natural products in a region with immense potential for sustainable growth. The exhibition platform features a wide array of product categories, including food and beverages, ingredients and raw materials, health foods, dietary supplements, and speciality foods, as well as cosmetics and hygiene products, beauty and personal care items, household goods, and organic gardening. Apart from the exhibition, numerous activities such as demonstrations, consultations, workshops, and special events are planned and aimed at benefiting enterprises.
SMMEs in manufacturing and interested to participate in these trade fairs are invited to call the department on 018 388 6004 or email their company details including the sector to MTladi@nwpg.gov.za to be included on the database.