10TH CHINA HOMELIFE AND MACHINEX TRADE FAIR OPENS

The 10th China Homelife and Machinex Trade Fair opened at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg on Wednesday, 23 September. The fair, which runs until Friday, 25 September is the largest exhibition of Chinese producers in South Africa.

Thousands of visitors attended the first day of this year’s China Homelife South Africa, which features a variety of verified, high-quality Chinese products including over 500 verified Chinese exhibitors presenting more than 10,000 high-quality products across multiple sectors, including Machinery, Energy, Household and Gifts, Home Appliances, Building Materials, Textiles and Garments and Appliances and Electronics. The fair connects Chinese manufacturers with African importers, wholesalers, and business leaders. Through China Homelife, South African businesses can find out about the latest products directly from Chinese manufactures, compare products and explore new sourcing, distribution and partnership opportunities.

The show aims to play an important role in providing a platform of exchange for Chinese and South African enterprises and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the opening ceremony of this year’s China Homelife South Africa on 23 September were Hu Songxiao, the Deputy Director, Wenzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Zheng Jilin, the Director of the Foreign Trade Division, Wenzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Tang Lianyun, the Director at Cangnan County Bureau of Commerce, Wenzhou, Councillor Lwando Resha, the Member of the Municipal Council for Local Economic Development on behalf of the Executive Mayor of Mogale City, Simphiwe Mabhele of the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations, Paula Franco, the Deputy President of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Richard Ntjana, the Chief Executive Officer of the Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and Binu Pillai, the Chief Operating Officer of Meorient International Exhibition.

At the event were businesses, trade institutions and foreign trade enterprises that have supported the development of foreign trade.

China Homelife South Africa is supported by the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the University of Johannesburg and the Southern African Alternative Energy Association.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Richard Ntjana, the CEO of RCCI, said: “This important platform brings together Chinese manufacturers and South African businesses at a time where strong trade relations and investments with practical business partnerships are increasingly important for our economy and in South Africa.

He added that as a chamber, they are particularly encouraged by the opportunity this exhibition creates for local entrepreneurs and established businesses to connect directly with manufacturers and explore new products and technologies and develop relations that can lead to sustainable trade and growth.”

During his speech at the event, Councillor Lwando Resha, Member of the Municipal Council for Local Economic Development on behalf of the Mayor of Mogale City, said: “China Homelife comes at a particularly significant time in our economic journey. The theme of this engagement, which seeks to connect global trade with local economic growth, speaks directly to the development agenda we are pursuing as Mogale City. The objective of promoting manufacturing localisation, industrial development, technology, investment attraction and enterprise development resonates strongly with our own Economic Development Strategy and Investment Plan.

“I invite investors, manufacturers, suppliers and development partners to explore the many opportunities that exist in our region. Let us build a bridge between Africa and China. Let us transform trade into investment. Let us transform investment into job opportunities. And let us transform opportunity into prosperity for our people.”

The wealth of opportunities available at China Homelife strengthens relations between Africa and China and promotes investment and job opportunities, which in turn grows our economy and the prosperity of our country.