“Trade innovation is a key focus for Wesgro. Exporters registered on the portal are reaping the rewards of a multi-year effort. Following the success of the highly targeted digital campaigns in key source markets, including the UK and the US, the market forms part of our domestic consumer awareness as well as a drive to onboard new exporters.
With the international allure of the V&A Waterfront we’re giving our products and services centre stage.
Earlier this year, Wesgro hosted the inaugural Made in the Cape 2023 dedicated hosted buyers programme, bringing 31 international buyers to Cape Town to meet with local exporters – pre-selected by each buyer using the www.capetradeportal.com.
The event was highly successful, with 520 B2B meetings with 269 exporters completed over the three-day programme. With significant export deals concluded out of the programme – to be realised over the next five years.
Applications for Made in the Cape 2024 are now open, with more information available here.
Welcoming the efforts to deepen the seeding of the region of origin brand, Mayco Member for Economic Growth James Vos said: “As the City government, we remain committed to building a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive economy. Increasing brand awareness of our local exporters, both internationally and domestically, is key in our quest to fulfilling this commitment.
“We welcome the efforts of the Made in the Cape Market, providing a catalytic opportunity to onboard more Cape Town exporters to the Cape Trade Portal, and drive further exports from the City.”
Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger concluded: “Guided by the Western Cape Government’s bold and ambitious economic action strategy, ‘Growth for Jobs’, we are on a mission to enable a R1 trillion, jobs-rich, inclusive and thriving provincial economy, that is growing at between 4 and 6 % in real terms.
“One of the key priority areas of this strategy is to drive the expansion of Western Cape exports. Our research shows that if we can increase exports by 10%, we can generate an estimated additional R6 billion to the Western Cape Gross Domestic Product, creating many more jobs in the province.”
