Companies exhibit at large trade fair in South Africa

More than 400 Chinese companies are exhibiting at the 20th Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) 2013 in Johannesburg in South Africa.

For the first time in 20 years China is the official partner of the SAITEX. About 3,500 different categories from China are exhibiting at this year's show which started on Sunday and will end on Tuesday.

An economic secretary at the Chinese embassy Lei Zhigang in Pretoria said on Monday that the exhibition will present Chinese companies and locals an opportunity to do business.

"The Chinese government places great value on enhancing business relations with the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries," he said.

"South Africa is China's largest export destination for the African continent. This encourages Chinese business to focus on developing countries and new emerging markets," added he.

The SAITEX is the biggest internationally supported trade fair in Africa, which gathers manufacturers, exporters, importers, distributors, agents, retailers and wholesalers.

The entrance is free with visitors seeing products like hardware, tools, lighting electronic system and tools.

It is expected that South Africans and others Africans will clinch many deals with Chinese companies.

John Thompson, the director of exhibition management services, said, "To encourage interest from China, we have business matchmaking, which is an online service that allows visitors and exhibitors to arrange meetings before hand."

"This is an opportunity for vast networking, potential business deals and a way to create new venues of income," he said.