The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has called for submissions from companies that wish to have a place in the South African pavilion at next year's CeBIT event.
CeBIT is the world's largest digital IT and telecommunications trade show, and is held in Germany, in March every year.
SA has had a pavilion at CeBIT for the past five years, hosting as many as a dozen companies at a time. Last year, nine local organisations attended, while the year before 12 participated.
Those that apply to participate are put through a screening process. "Companies that wish to apply to participate in CeBIT need to be export-ready and competitive in the South African market, and have experience in exporting. Companies that apply to participate will be screened and selected in line with the DTI's Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme and market requirements," says the DTI.
If successful, the DTI awards each company financial support, including air travel assistance, a daily subsistence allowance of R2 000 per day, freight forwarding of samples or brochures (up to R17 500), and a stand to exhibit their goods and services.
According to DTI deputy director Thulani Mpetsheni, who is responsible for organising the pavilion, around R800 000 is set aside by the DTI for the pavilion and the sponsorship of South African companies that attend.
He believes that having a country pavilion at CeBIT is important, because it provides a platform for mentoring companies and assisting them to develop internationally and drive exports, particularly in software.
Attendance at CeBIT is also strategic, he says, because it allows the development of a comprehensive marketing strategy for the sector.
Savant, the South African Embassy in Germany, and the South African German Chamber of Commerce and Industry also assist firms that participate by arranging meetings with other participating companies.
Mpetsheni believes the pavilion has been successful so far.
“Companies present indicated between R250 000 and R4 million, per company, of potential business,” he says.
“On average, this could result in R5 million-R10 million over 12 to 18 months. Jobs ranged from five to 20 new jobs created and for many companies it meant doubling the size of their current workforce.”
Organisations must submit their applications by 15 November in order to be considered.
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