JOHANNESBURG -- Following the conclusion of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the South African business delegation has lauded the event as a resounding success, noting that the transactions discussed are expected to open up new trade and investment opportunities in China and the region.

According to South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), more than 30 South African companies from various sectors participated in the expo under the department's Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme.

South African businesses that participated in the event said the experience was encouraging, as they identified numerous new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DTIC said a number of the participating businesses reported positive outcomes from their engagement at the CIIE, with many viewing their participation as instrumental in strengthening commercial ties with Asian markets.

"There are a lot of business opportunities in China that we still have to explore. It is just a matter of meeting the right agents and partners," said Wendy Mpendulo, managing director of Miante Manufacturing, noting that they have an opportunity to export peanut butter to China in the near future.

Avinash Bisnath, managing director of Luhlaza Advisory and Consulting, said they had encountered potential clients and suppliers keen to collaborate on their "geological and environmental resource management services".

The CIIE was also commended by Muzi Manzi, chief executive officer of the Aluminium Federation of South Africa.

"The expo provided a perfect platform and opportunity for us to interact with various industry stakeholders. In the process, several businesses from China showed keen interest in the South African aluminum industry. Together, we identified numerous opportunities for possible collaboration between companies from the two countries to pursue concrete deals," said Manzi.