EASTERN CAPE EXPORT SYMPOSIUM AND EXHIBITION

The 6^th edition of this annual key economic intervention focusses a spotlight on exporting and exports from the Eastern Cape. The region’s powerful contribution to global production in several sectors, incl automotive and agriculture, attached to its two Special Economic Zones and three ports, brings to life the 2024 theme:  Think Eastern Cape … Think Opportunities.

It brings together not only current and new local exporters but also international trade partners, trade policy experts, government support agencies, financiers, logistics and infrastructure role-players, under one roof.

The Eastern Cape Export Symposium is part of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s commitment to grow the province’s significant contribution to global markets.

The event to be held in-person will connect these role-players through an exhibition, two-day, short-plenary, workshops, match-making and networking opportunity to achieve two overarching objectives:

1. Promoting exports and supply networks (via access to markets, resources and current research)
2. Synergising resources and focus of a wide range of export-related role-players that optimises export efficiency and economic growth.

All activities will be hosted in-person, however, the plenary sessions will also be LIVE streamed.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

The intended audience includes local, national and international roleplayers (exporters, logistics service providers, economic development agencies, trade promotion agencies, sectoral associations, funders and buyers with a strong presence from Africa.

OBJECTIVES

Its goal is to familiarise Eastern Cape exporters and its existing and prospective trading partners with changes in global trade policy in AfCFTA, BRICS, AGOA and EU. It aims also to provide cutting edge insight and case studies that drive action around the global trade context, including recent supply and trade disruptions and to resource delegates with the most relevant information, analysis, contacts and resources needed to practically materialise opportunities.

• To assist companies to bolster export capacity and supply networks,
• To exploit opportunities in and to build regional integration (Intra-African trade)
• To cast a global and national spotlight on export ready new and existing companies in the Eastern Cape
• To collate, share and leverage resources to stimulate exports and grow trade relationships.

It will achieve this through several salient in-person activities:

• A: Plenary (also LIVE streamed)
• B: Workshops
• C: Exhibition
• D:  Match-Making program
• E: Networking Functions (Networking Dinner)
• F: Leisure Tour Options