The Chief Director of Technical Infrastructure at the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), Dr Tshenge Demana, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the natural and Organic Products Exhibition that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre last night, 16 October 2008. The function was attended by representatives of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, exhibitors, investors and shoppers.
The four day exhibition that started yesterday provides the dti with an opportunity to support the suppliers of environmentally sound goods and services in a more tangible way. The dti has sponsored the exhibitions of a few small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that are displaying their products at the green solutions pavilion, in order to encourage them to continue contributing to economic development through trade and job creation.
We trust that consumers will also show tangible appreciation of the healthy, safe and environmentally responsible choices on offer. This sponsorship is just a small token of the dti’s support to the environmental industry. In August last year we launched the Environmental Goods and Services Forum to open up access to the business opportunities posed by the greening of lifestyles, industries and trade.
“The Department of Trade and Industry is delighted to be part of the Natural and Organic Products Exhibition. We have a clear interest in environmentally aware, intelligent consumers and trade representatives. Our interests comes from the fact that environmental goods and services (EGS) increase investment, trade and jobs, and thus contribute to South Africa’s economic development,” says Demana.
To co-ordinate our environmental industry, climate change and policy alignment efforts the dti has established a Directorate for Environment in the Technical Infrastructure Unit.
Our request is that you would enjoy the Natural and Organic Products Exhibition with us and allow your purchase power to do the talking to promote green business and trade.
For more information contact:
Communication and Marketing
Sidwell Moloantoa Medupe
Cell: 073 522 6801
E-mail: msmedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
17 October 2008