Fifteen Vietnamese enterprises have made a success at an international trade exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa, by attracting much interest and reaching deals with foreign investors.

The 21st Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX), which concluded on June 24, drew the participation of 900 businesses from 45 countries across the globe.

Among those interested in Vietnamese commodities was Durban-based Megacorp Trading, which specialises in importing consumer goods for sale at supermarkets in South Africa.

Its executive Prem Sadhwani expressed his willingness to sign a contract importing Vietnamese rice and open a representative office in the country to expand the firm’s ties with local businesses.

A Vietnamese entrepreneur in Swaziland, Phan Thi Nhung said people from this country favour Vietnamese imports and suggested Vietnamese firms to set up pavilions at an international fair in the African country this August.

On this occasion, a representative of the Botswana Trade and Investment Centre invited Vietnam to attend a trade fair in the capital city of Gaborone this November.

Officials from the embassies of Thailand, India and Pakistan in South Africa described Vietnamese businesses’ participation at the event as a success.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Phan Tien Binh said high interest from foreign businesspeople demonstrated a major opportunity for Vietnamese goods to make their way to African markets, adding that he will order the municipal department to be more active in promoting trade in this region.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Le Huy Hoang said there is plenty of room for trade with South Africa as well as regional nations, promising more trade promotion activities to be held across South Africa.

He noted enterprises need to further make use of Vietnam’s representative agencies abroad to advertise their brands and learn about local consumers’ taste.

They should also invite African firms to make market surveys in Vietnam and work to beef up long-term partnership, Hoang added.-VNA