08/08/2011 (ISRIA) - Indonesian new export products for African market became a center of attention when a lot of visitors crowded Indonesian display stands during the African Big 7 and Saitex exhibition in Johannesburg on 17-19 2011. The stands displayed a wide array of food and baby care products.

This was not the first time Indonesia participated in the two international annual exhibitions. Hundreds of participants join the events almost each year, and many of them are manufacturing companies and industries originated from South Africa or other countries. This year’s exhibition was joined by approximately 150 participants.

Indonesia was represented by 4 companies, i.e. PT. Bina Karya prima (Crude Palm Oil derivative product), PT. Ultra Prima Abadi (snack and food product), PT. Intisari International (snack and food product), Egoli Consumables (Indomie and Indofood product) and PT. Softex Indonesia.

Also in this year’s exhibition, the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITCP) set up a stand displaying several samples of Indonesian primary commodity exports for African market.

The many inquiries visitors made regarding Indonesian products proved that many people were interested in the stands. In the first day, PT. Bina Karya Utama received an order for one container of cooking oil from Safeway Trading (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria which is an importer company.

The Africa Big 7 and Saitex exhibitions were also joined by other countries like China, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, Singapore, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, USA, Vietnam, and Zambia as well as local companies. The existence of these business competitors did not cease visitors’ interest in Indonesian products which indeed have high qualities and competitive prices.

According to the Indonesian Embassy, these two exhibitions were a big success, especially seeing from the many inquiries Indonesian companies received. Therefore, such a success is expected to encourage future participations from other Indonesian companies in the events.

After participating in the exhibitions, Indonesian companies will survey some food products in various supermarkets around Johannesburg, such as Checker, Pick n Pay, Shoprite and OSBRO wholesaler, in order to observe the market trend, packaging style, labeling, price, etc.

The companies will also have a chance to meet with a sweets and food importer company, ABC Sweets in Pretoria. Also during the exhibitions, the Indonesian Ambassador in Pretoria gave Indonesian participants directions on knowhow to successfully enter potential African non-traditional market.