Rising demand for exports to the Middle East
Trade & Investment KZN, in association with the South African Halaal Export Forum, jointly hosted the first export workshop on accessing the Middle East market with South African halaal food products.
The Halaal Export Seminar, which was held at the Balmoral Hotel, Durban on Tuesday 10 June 2008, and run on the same basis as the Trade & Investment KZN export seminars. Topics covered included international banking, freight logistics, international trade, incoterms, understanding the global halaal market and a market overview of the Middle East. Papers were delivered by experts from Deneys Reitz Attorneys, Hellmann Logistics and Nedbank in their respective fields.
'The workshop actively promoted KwaZulu-Natal as an effective supplier of halaal-standard food and beverages; provided assistance to the relevant and appropriate emerging export companies and persons; presented product possibilities that have joint venture and partnership possibilities; and acquired firsthand information on potential South African halaal food exporters,' said Zamo Gwala, CEO of Trade & Investment KZN.
The food and agricultural industries in the UAE are fairly underdeveloped, and the UAE relies heavily on imports. The broad-ranging consumer trends in the Middle East region include a greater demand for convenience foods, the rise of private labelling and the general population growth. The influx of expatriates has led to a change in eating habits and increasing sophistication in tastes as people become more international and cosmopolitan in their eating habits. The rising South African population in the UAE also indicates a rise in demand for recognised South African brands and an opportunity for South African companies to enter the market.
For more information contact Perusha Naicker, Communications Officer: Trade and Investment KZN, on +27 31 368 9600 or email perusha@tikzn.co.za
