The exhibition will also offer an opportunity for an exchange of skills by participating crafters.

The Deputy Minister said interactions between Cameroon and South Africa were maturing and this must be deepened through joint ventures and high impact investments. “Part of our reasons for attending this handicrafts exhibition is to further strengthen ties between the countries and allow our exhibitors to take advantage of trade agreements that may arise,” she said.

There will be meetings held at a bilateral level to finalise technical cooperation arrangements in SME development, industrial research and technology transfer, agriculture and agro-processing, mining and tourism.

The meetings will also finalise modalities on the establishment of the Joint Trade and Investment Committee, Thabethe explained.

Thabethe led a business delegation to Cameroon in January last year, which focused on infrastructure, energy, agro-processing and manufacturing. She also visited the country in December.