Source Africa- The African Textile, Apparel and Footwear Trade Event 9-12 April 2013

The USAID SATH supported Source Africa 2013 – The African Textile, Apparel and Footwear Trade Event was launched in Cape Town, South Africa on 17th July, 2012.

Source Africa will be the most important trade event in Africa next year for African textile, apparel and footwear manufacturers. The exciting components include a two day trade exhibition and designer showcase, international business seminars, professional matchmaking programme, opening cocktail reception & manufacturing plant visits.

The event will take place at the state-of-the-art Cape Town International Convention Centre in the heart of Africa’s textile and clothing industries. Cape Town hosts the headquarters of 19 national chains, upwards of 30 mini and regional chains and many independent retailers and importers

Africa is increasingly becoming a source of garments, textiles and footwear, and the SOURCE Africa event presents an opportunity for African manufacturers to showcase African made textiles, apparel, footwear and services to international and African buyers. In her key-note address, Cynthia Brown, US Consulate’s Public Diplomacy Officer, emphasized the role the textile/apparel sector plays in employment generation especially women. She informed the audience that the US Government was working towards extending the Third Country Fabric (TCF) provision which is due to expire at the end of September, 2012.

The launch was attended by over 85 important industry professionals, and key partners including AMSA (Apparel Manufacturers of SA), SATIEC (South African Textile Industry Export Council), SAFLEC (South African Footwear & Leather Export Council), Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry, WESGRO, Western Cape Provincial Government, the DTI, Shoes & Views Magazine, USAID SATH & ACTIF (African Cotton & Textiles Industry Federation).

The event, made up of two days of trade exhibition, also includes a matchmaking program that introduces manufacturers to suppliers, factory site visits to the countries in the region, and a series of professional seminars.

The business seminars will address why sourcing from Africa makes sense, explain what buyers want from Africa, and highlight investment opportunities in the region. Furthermore, it will also cover compliance and proper environmental stewardship and best practices, labeling product safety and customs barriers.

• Cutting-edge industry insight amidst industry trends
• Production levels and design capabilities of African manufacturers
• Investment opportunities in Africa
• Compliance and proper environmental stewardship and best practices
• Labeling product safety and customs barriers
• Smarter Use of AGOA duty free, chief value synthetic (CVS) products market opportunities
• Africa as an apparel consumer destination

More than 100 African exhibitors will be showcasing an extensive range of products and services to African and international buyers and other industry professionals. The two main objectives of this important business trade show is to promote African made textiles, apparel & footwear to international buyers as well as grow intra-regional trade between African countries.

USAID SATH is supporting Source Africa, and LTE South Africa is the organiser of the event.

Cape Town, the host city, is home to 19 national chain stores, upwards of 30 mini and regional chains, and many independent retailers and importers. It is the heart of Africa’s textile and clothing industries. There is no better location for this event than the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

USAID SATH has engaged consultants in the US and Europe to promote the event to international buyers in these export markets. These will bring a combined 20-30 buyers, retailers, brokers to Source Africa. In addition, the event will promote intra-regional trade.

USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub, which has for the last five years successfully hosted B2B events in the apparel and textile value chain, will integrate their programme into Source Africa. Joop de Voest has once again been appointed by USAID SATH to organise and manage this series of pre-arranged meetings, now called the matchmaking programme.

The matchmaking programme, for identified market sectors and where the requirements of companies can be met/matched, will link regional producers with international and regional retailers, brands and wholesalers and will take place on exhibitor’s stands.

Companies can exhibit on their own, but LTE will offer special group rates to trade and investment agencies or associations that secure national/provincial pavilions at Source Africa.

Source Africa has the full support of USAID’s Southern African Trade Hub who will be promoting the show to buyers in Europe, USA and Africa. It also has the full support of AMSA (Apparel Manufacturers of South Africa), SAFLEC (South African Footwear & Leather Export Council), SATIEC (South African Textile Industry Export Council), S A Technical Textile Cluster, the DTI, Trade & Investment KZN, WESGRO, Cape Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Leading Women of Africa, EXSA (Exhibition Assn of South Africa) and SAACI (Southern African Assn for the Conference Industry).

This is an important platform for buyers, manufacturers and suppliers to negotiate business relationships. Last year, it resulted in more than 450 meetings, $2 million in immediate sales and $10 million in carry over sales.

To book your stand and for more information, please contact LTE South Africa: Tel: +27 21 790 5849|Fax: +27 21 790 0037|E-mail: deidreh@worldonline.co.za or sourceafrica@vodamail.co.za |Website: http://www.sourceafrica.co.za