EASTERN CAPE NEWS - Market access, export competitiveness and investment are at the centre of the Eastern Cape Export Symposium and Exhibition, which got underway on Wednesday.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau is expected to address the Ministerial Dinner this evening as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between national and provincial institutions and increase awareness and uptake of the department’s export support programmes and services.
The three-day symposium and exhibition is a collaboration between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).
Focus on international markets and investment
The event will focus on export competitiveness, market access, inward buying missions, investment promotion and strategic partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for South African businesses.
Tau said the Eastern Cape remains one of South Africa’s leading export provinces, with internationally competitive sectors including automotive manufacturing, agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, the ocean economy and renewable energy.
“The Eastern Cape sits at the centre of our industrialisation and export diversification agenda,” said Tau.
“Its automotive, agro-processing and ocean economy sectors, anchored by industrial infrastructure such as the Coega Special Economic Zone and East London Industrial Development Zone, give the province the depth to compete globally and to help us broaden our export base beyond traditional markets.”
Small and black-owned businesses targeted
Tau said changing global trade conditions made it increasingly important to strengthen local export capabilities and connect more businesses to international markets.
“Strengthening these local export capabilities and connecting more of our enterprises, particularly small and black-owned businesses, to international markets is central to building a more resilient and inclusive economy,” he said.
The dtic has participated in previous editions of the symposium through technical presentations covering trade agreements, export incentives and export development programmes.
Eastern Cape export platform reaches thousands
Since its launch in 2019, the symposium has grown into the Eastern Cape’s flagship export promotion platform.
It has attracted more than 4 000 delegates, supported over 1 200 enterprises, hosted 300 exhibitors and facilitated export opportunities estimated at R200 million.
The 2026 symposium aims to build on this momentum by strengthening partnerships and creating further opportunities for Eastern Cape businesses to access international markets.
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