Industries join forces to promote economic growth of Gauteng

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The successful Blue IQ Smart Industry Expo, organised by business-to-business professionals Exhibitions for Africa, closed on 24 October 2003, with a well-attended stand awards function. Exhibition stands were of high quality and the following companies were recognised for their innovation:

* Small stands: Syspro, Varispeed, GEDA, Computer Associates, Deloitte & Touche, Development Bank of SA.

* Medium stands: Value Logistics, Telkom, CBI, and FNB Corporate.

* Large stands: Nissan SA, Festo, SEIFSA, Arthur Rushmer Engineering, Electro-mechanica, ABB.

The exhibition formed part of the 'Blue IQ Means Business Week, a five-day event aimed at encouraging collaboration between business and government at a general level, as well as facilitating specific deals. The exhibition was preceded by the Blue IQ Smart Partnerships Conference, which focused on exciting business opportunities for private sector investors and companies looking for new operational locations. An awards ceremony was held for the Smart Young Minds Challenge, a Blue IQ initiative to encourage Gauteng pupils to produce innovative ideas to contribute to the creation of a smart province.

The Expo showcased domestic and international businesses operating in Blue IQ's special interest areas, identified to drive aggressive economic growth in the Gauteng region. It was promoted as 'nine expos - one meeting place'. Specialists came together from the following sectors: logistics and supply chain management; machine tools; process control, automation and electronics; biotechnology; fluid power and air technology; energy and renewable energy; information/communication technology; electrical switchgear and financial services.

Whilst visitor attendance was somewhat disappointing, given the size and stature of the event, many exhibitors recorded high levels of potential business opportunities from quality sales leads.

The net result of visitor interest in the various pavilions:

Biotechnology: 23%

Fluid power and air technology: 26%

Process control, automation and electronics: 34%

Logistics and supply chain management (incl materials handling): 26%

Energy technology and renewable energy: 21%

Machine tools: 31%

Information technology: 39%

Electrical switchgear: 21%

Financial and auxiliary services: 20%

The visitor profile was in line with the organisers' objectives, attracting delegates from 24 countries outside South Africa. Although Africa was strongly represented, there were also registrations from England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, USA and Ukraine. Of particular value to the exhibitor is the statistic relating to the level of purchasing authority - 62% of all visitors either influence or make the purchasing decision in their company.

Due to the importance of biotechnology as an emerging industry, in 2005 this sector will enjoy a standalone confex. The other pavilions will form the basis of the 2005 Gauteng Industrial & Technology Exhibition.

For more information contact Karyn de Wet, Exhibitions for Africa, 011 886 3734, [email protected]

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