industry news SA hand sanitisers earn billions in export revenue
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ocal production of hand sanitisers contributed enormously to saving lives in South Africa and has so far earned export revenues of R1.6 billion for the country, according to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel. The Minister said at the release of data on South African exports of hand sanitiser products, that between June and November 2020, permits for the export of hand sanitisers to 30 other African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Botswana, amounted to R1.66 billion. South African manufacturers of hand sanitiser were able to build significant trading ties with other African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said in a statement. “At the start of the pandemic, South Africa faced a shortage of hand sanitisers and industry worked with the government to expand local production,” he added.
Measures were put in place to regulate the export of hand sanitisers to ensure adequate local capacity and to encourage exports to other African countries. As soon as sufficient capacity was built up for local use, the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) issued permits to local companies to export product to other African countries,” said Minister Patel. “As we build a more resilient economy, we will rely more on local innovation and industrial capacity. The legacy of COVID-19 is to underscore the importance of localisation, to create more jobs and enhance economic output,” he said. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement that became effective on January 1 this year is expected to further boost manufacturing and trade across the continent.
New dates for Cleantex Africa 2021 exhibition
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ecent developments worldwide relating to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a consultative decision by the organisers of Africa’s leading trade show for professional cleaning and hygiene to be rescheduled to a summer season time slot. The Cleantex Africa exhibition will now take place from 2 – 4 November 2021 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. “The decision to change the dates for this event addresses two issues, firstly to move from a traditional winter season event to a summer period and secondly, to co-locate a major drawcard, the SAPCA Cleantex Summit, to add a conference element, thereby further bolstering the attendance. The SAPCA Cleantex Summit is a collaboration between Cleantex and the South African Pest Control Association aimed at discussing industry issues and to build consensus on lessons learned and best ways forward in controlling the spread of pandemics such as
COVID-19,” said exhibition director Johann van Vuuren. For more than 23 years, Cleantex Africa has provided a complete meeting place for cleaning and hygiene professionals. Never before has cleaning and hygiene for health been more relevant than now. The coronavirus pandemic raised the profile of the professional cleaning industry significantly, thereby driving the industry to adapt and evolve faster than ever before.
“By moving the exhibition to November this year, co-locating with a dual industry summit and with the prospect of a COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon, we hope to offer a niche event where innovations can be presented to an African audience in a safe environment to initiate business,” added van Vuuren. For more information about Cleantex Africa email: nande@cleantex.co.za
African Cleaning Review January/February 2021
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