With the world’s eyes on the Western Cape the Made in the Cape event again proved why it is a powerhouse of global trade connection and opportunity.
The event, the flagship trade event of Wesgro, the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for the Western Cape, connects international buyers to the province’s exporters of goods and services.
It took place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Playing host to more than 30 international buyers, it showcased quality and sustainably-produced goods and services, many of them trusted brands, across key sectors.
The event fostered trade and investment opportunities and built business partnerships through B2B (business to business) facilitation and networking sessions.
To date, the programme boasts 1 290 verified exporters, 8 399 listed products and services, and 761 registered international buyers across 80 countries.
Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, said in his keynote address today, that the programme’s purpose is to grow the economy and create more jobs.
“For example, if we have a 5% increase in agricultural exports, we immediately generate 22 900 new jobs. This is an opportunity where we bring the world to Cape Town and our products into the rest of the world.
“This is a buyer’s programme, people come here because they know the quality of our products and we are ready to export our products to many parts of the world,” explained Meyer.
The minister said the event continues to grow.
“We have also established a Cape Trade Portal with thousands of products and businesses registered on the portal. It is a digital platform for people to showcase the products that we can export into the rest of the world.”
Meyer explained how beneficial such an event is for local producers.
“We have export promotion seminars to prepare local producers for the export market. We know export is a tricky business, that it’s not easy to export products, and this is why we prepare people through training, support, technical assistance and financial assistance to showcase their products on trade shows around the world.”
Meyer said over the past five years the Western Cape accounted for 90% of jobs created in South Africa.
“We believe in export-led growth, but for that you need solid infrastructure… If you want to grow the economy through you must make sure you have the best infrastructure, which is what we are trying to do in the Western Cape.”
James Vos, Mayco member for Economic growth, reaffirmed the City’s commitment to strengthening export growth and supporting local manufacturers in accessing international markets.
He highlighted the importance of practical platforms that connect producers directly with buyers, noting that sustainable economic growth is built on real transactions and long-term trade relationships.
Vos further outlined the City’s broader efforts to strengthen the business ecosystem, including the advancement of a new Manufacturing Support Policy and a formalised Business Support Policy.
He said these initiatives focus on improving industrial areas, supporting energy resilience, reducing red tape and equipping businesses with the tools they need to scale and compete globally.
“Our objective is clear: to create the right conditions for businesses to grow, expand into new markets and create jobs, and to see more Cape products earning their place on shelves around the world.”
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