Major Mauritian delegation of 39 enterprises to partake in Source Africa

Source Africa will take place for the 4th time in Cape Town this year. It is now the most important annual pan-African textile, clothing and footwear trade event on the international calendar. Source Africa will bring together manufacturers, buyers, suppliers and services providers in one major integrated event, enabling international and African buyers to view and explore an extensive array of products and services from Africa.

The event will promote African manufacturers to both regional and international buyers, with the aim of increasing market share for the continent as well as developing regional trade between African countries.

Enterprise Mauritius (EM) will lead a major delegation of 39 enterprises to the Source Africa Trade Show this year. The main objectives behind their participation are to maintain their visibility as the ‘Preferred Next Door Partner’ and to boost exports to South Africa. Companies will be showcasing a wide range of products ranging from knitwear, T-shirts, polo shirts, jeans, high-end suits and accessories. In addition to participation in the trade show, Enterprise Mauritius will be organising a fashion show on 8 June to showcase the ‘Savoir Faire’ of Mauritian manufacturers.

Arvind Radhakrishna, CEO of Enterprise Mauritius, said that South Africa was the third export market for Mauritian textile and apparel products in 2015. Exports to South Africa have increased by 500% over the last decade and last year it reached R6bn, registering a 21% increase compared to 2014. With decades of experience and renewed investments in high-end design skills and manufacturing technology, Mauritian textile and fashion producers now supply leading fashion brands, primarily in the Euro zone and US, namely: Calvin Klein, Adidas, Woolworths, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, Harrods, River Island and Levi.

The South African business community is progressively recognizing the benefits of partnering Mauritian manufacturers for their sourcing options due to the preferential trade agreement and short lead time.

It is exciting times for Africa as they prepare to take full advantage of the opportunities that will open up from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) renewal. AGOA, a US government trade preference programme, offers certain African producers the opportunity to export a myriad products including apparel, textiles and footwear, to the US with up to 35% reduction in duties. As a result, several recognized US brands and retailers are already sourcing from the region and taking great advantage of savings on both labour and duty rates. Source Africa will align itself to this important initiative as well as the other regional duty free trade preference agreements.

A series of business seminars, including key topics such as AGOA – the Africa Advantage, will be presented by top industry speakers.

Africa will play an increasingly important role in the textile, apparel and footwear industry over the next decade. International buyers are showing stronger interest, fuelled in part by AGOA, and the African industry is showing an increased ability to meet that demand with world class capabilities that are getting better every day.

Source Africa is a world-class sourcing event that supports the growth and development of business, trade and economic opportunities in Africa.
More than 1,500 professional decision makers are expected to arrive at Cape Town’s CTICC on 8 and 9 June, 2016, for Source Africa, which will feature more than 180 exhibitors interested in expanding their exports. Countries represented include: South Africa, Mauritius, Lesotho, Kenya, Egypt, Madagascar, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.