Thaindian News

By Fakir Hassen
Johannesburg, Aug 7 (IANS) Interest in Indian ceramic tiles in the first two days of a trade show being held here till Sunday has been positive.

“Although China can probably beat us only on price, the lower price combined with good quality that India offers cannot be beaten by anyone else,” said Susmmita Dasbiswas, deputy director of India’s Chemical and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (Capexil), at the Decorex Trade Show.

Decorex is Africa’s only specialised trade show focusing on construction materials, fittings, fixtures, furniture and related items for residential and commercial buildings.

The Indian Consulate in Johannesburg has organised the participation of a 13-member team to display products such as granite slabs, ceramic tiles, laminated boards, technical textiles, sanitaryware and specialty coatings.

Speaking at a matchmaking breakfast at Capexil Friday, Indian Consul General Navdeep Suri described the event as part of the mission’s efforts to create an effective platform for business-to-business interactions between Indian and South African companies.

Dasbiswas told IANS that her promotion council had decided to exhibit in South Africa for the first time for two main reasons.

“First, despite the economic meltdown, Indian exports to South Africa are statistically showing an increase in a number of areas, and we felt that there would be opportunity for our members as well,” she said.

“Second, the government of India has identified South Africa and in fact Africa as a focus region, and these objectives are met by the fact that a very important part of Decorex is buyer-seller meets where our exhibitors can make presentations.”

Dasbiswas said there had been particular interesting Indian ceramic tiles from South African buyers, who have been largely reliant on Italian imports until now.

South African exporters are also being encouraged to attend similar expos being planned in India by Capexil.

Suri said although South Africa was already India’s largest trading partner in Africa and bilateral trade had grown from zero in 1994 to over $6.3 billion last year, the potential for further growth was enormous.

“The Indian Business Forum established by the consulate two years ago already has 43 Indian companies that have established a presence in South Africa,” Suri said.

“Between them, these companies are executing projects worth over $2 billion in (South Africa).”

Suri expressed optimism that the participation of the Capexil delegation in Decorex would create tangible opportunities for Indian companies to establish partnerships with their South African counterparts in this African country’s construction industry.