ELEVEN companies from the north - including major corporations like First Derivatives and CDE Global - are in South Africa this week in a five-day trade mission which takes in the key cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Northern Ireland firms currently export £35 million worth of goods to South Africa, the region's single largest market on the continent, with machinery and transport equipment accounting for the biggest proportion of exports.
South Africa is seen as a growing market offering opportunities for companies in sectors such as food & drink, life sciences, energy and agri-tech.
It is also increasingly becoming a hub for accessing other emerging markets in the southern Africa region.
Invest NI chairman Mark Ennis, who is leading the mission, said: “Developing local partnerships to support market access and look at third markets is important.
"Most of Northern Ireland’s materials handling companies have appointed dealers to service the mining and mineral processing industries and the fast emerging opportunities in the recycling industry.
“During the trade mission I will be meeting with a range of industry bodies and dealers to help develop these important relationships and support the development of export opportunities.
“We are also working with our partners in the UK Department for International Trade and the British Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa to ensure Northern Ireland companies have the best opportunity to tap into and succeed in this region.”
Companies taking part in the mission are Armstrong Medical, Bfree Foods, BRS Golf Ltd, CDE Global, Careersport Fitness Academy, Clonallon Laboratories, EvoQuip, First Derivatives, Greenfields Ireland, Lowe Rental and SaltDNA.
