In a major initiative to facilitate Indian products to make a mark in the international market, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will hold a 'Made in India' show at Johannesburg, South Africa, between July 18-21, 2001. The show is being organised by the CII in association with the Indian High Commission in South Africa and supported by the Ministry of External Affairs, India. The show would feature the best in engineering products and manufactured goods. The focus sectors for the show include the following:

• Small and Medium Enterprises-Technologies and Products.
• Auto Components.
• Biotechnology.
• Consumer Durables.
• Drugs and Pharmaceuticals.
• Electrical and Electronics.
• Food Processing.
• Healthcare.
• IT Software and Services.
• Leather goods.
• Machine tools.
• Sports Goods.

The `Made in India' show gives manufacturers in India an opportunity to explore business opportunities in a country which has consistently been one of the largest trading partners of India in Africa. The show will offer access to the entire south African region which comprises the frontline states.

Indo-South African business relations: Listed below are some facts and figures.

Strategically located on the world's major trade routesSouth Africa has been a premier trading hub of the world. The business opportunities between India and South Africa are immense and bilateral trade over the last 8 to 9 years has spiralled phenomenally from Rs 49.2 million in 1992-93 to Rs 93.78 billion in 1999-00. India is the eleventh largest investor in south Africa providing opportunities for technology transfer in the sectors of health care and biotechnology, agro-processing, textiles, components for heavy and light industries including electrical and automotive. Ample scope for information technology drugs and pharmaceuticals, sports goods, leather goods and electronic components also exists.

The African route to prosperity

After having successfully showcased Indian products under the 'Made in India' label twice in Mauritius and one each in Japan, Kenya, UK Tanzania and once already in Johanessburg, the decision to hold it in the same venue again is a well-thought out strategy.

According to a CII release, the African continent as a whole is an ideal location from where India could reach out to the USA market by using it as a base under the aegis of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. This legislation passed last year in the US enables 34 qualifying African countries to make duty-free exports to the US.

The CII believes that India could take advantage of this Act to enhance its export base to the American market. While this Act came out of a decision to increase market access for textiles and clothing from Sub-Saharan African countries, India could avail of the option to explore setting up of joint venture textile manufacturing units in these countries to carve a niche in the US market.

At the moment, the prospect of doing business with southern African nations seems quite lucrative. The Southern African Development Community which comprises 14 countries of the region has seen improved trade with India to the tune of US $ 2585 million in 1999-2000, an increase of 23.6 per cent over the previous year. The region is also in the process of eliminating its trade barriers and it is expected to bring it to nearly zero by September 2003.

Similarly, the East African community, which is an inter-governmental organisation of republics of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, offers numerous opportunities in areas such as agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and services. The area has a record of providing 20 per cent return on investments. Major Indian companies which are operating successfully in the region are Telecommunications Consultants of india, the Birla group and Kirloskar, among others.