As South Africa has taken over the G20 Presidency on 01 December 2024, the inaugural Highway 24 Embassies Business Fair and Conference, took place at Modderfontein Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa last month, aligning itself to advance the G20 vision towards collaborating with G20 member countries, international and regional organisations and the private sector for inclusive growth.
The two-day event that took place on 20 – 21 November 2024 attracted over 120 business leaders, more than 30 embassies and 300+ delegates.
Addressing trading barriers and challenges, while fostering collaboration among embassies and local businesses the theme for this inaugural two-day event was “Direct Business Exchange amongst Embassies: Meet Suppliers Producers and Distributors.”
Highway 24 Managing Director, Sihle Dube said that “the conference main aim is to be a hub for suppliers and manufacturers of all business’ sizes to meet distributors and to be the gateway for bulk product trade among others.” Dube continued, asserting the trade fair aims to showcase products and services in education, SMME’s, automative, airlines, beauty and cosmetics, tourism products and services, technology, food and beverage, fashion and accessories as well.
The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Jane Sithole delivered the keynote address at the Embassies Business Fair and Conference, said this event is “an exciting opportunity that holds the potential to reshape the future of business in our region and beyond. I am talking about the creation of a dynamic hub, an ecosystem where suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors of all business sizes can meet, collaborate, and grow together.”
First Secretary for Tourism of Zambia High Commission in Pretoria, Vincent Mupwaya, addressed the conference on the second and last day. He spoke on his home country actively promoting investments in renewable energy, mineral beneficiation, agriculture, and agro-processing to enhance its economic growth. Mupwaya said “the government recognizes the potential of these sectors to create jobs and boost local economies, particularly for the youth. To facilitate this, various funding options are being encouraged, including cooperatives, joint ventures, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The Zambian Development Agency (ZDA) is mandated to promote and attract investments into Zambia, providing essential support to both local and foreign investors.”
While Mark Mangena, South African born UK -based business mentor and impact investment advocate, under the Help to Grow Programme, emphasized the importance of collaborations in creating streamlined market access opportunities for local Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to distribute their products and services to the United Kingdom post-Brexit.
Meanwhile Clifford Ndlovu representing MATRADE also joined the speakers at the conference and explained the role MATRADE plays. Ndlovu said “MATRADE is a Malaysian government agency that promotes and develops Malaysia’s external trade, especially exports of manufactured and semi-manufactured products. It also provides market intelligence, training, representation, and assistance to Malaysian and foreign companies.”
Speakers at the conference included representatives from Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency – SEDFA, Brics Women’s Business Alliance, Tunisia, Commonwealth Women in Business SA among others.
The conference main aim is to be a hub for suppliers and manufacturers of all business’ sizes to meet distributors; to have a global reach attracting audience from 30+ embassies within Africa and internationally; to be the gateway for bulk product trade.
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