OPPORTUNITY – Targeting Eurasia: Don’t miss the 10 August deadline to scale your machinery exports in Turkey

As South Africa accelerates its industrial export drive, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)has issued a call to action for local entrepreneurs and manufacturers in the machinery, electrotechnical, and capital equipment sectors.

the dtic is leading an Outward Selling and Investment Mission (OSIM) to Istanbul, Turkey, from 28 to 30 September 2026. Designed to promote South African value-added goods and services while attracting foreign direct investment, the three-day trade mission will feature targeted business seminars, business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking meetings, and specialized site visits.

Applications for government funding to join the delegation close on 10 August 2026.

Why Turkey? Strategic Opportunities for SA Industrial Entrepreneurs

For South African exporters, Turkey represents one of the most dynamic cross-continental trade gateways in the world. Positioned at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, the Turkish market offers vast strategic potential for South African engineering and manufacturing firms:

• A Hub for Industrial Supply Chains: Turkey’s massive manufacturing base creates continuous demand for specialized heavy machinery, power components, industrial electronics, and capital equipment—areas where South African engineering firms hold proven expertise.
  
• Gateway to Regional Expansion: Establishing commercial relationships in Istanbul opens doors not only to the domestic Turkish market, but also to broader Eurasian, European Union, and North African supply networks.
  
• Two-Way Investment Potential: Beyond export opportunities, the mission focuses on attracting foreign investment and joint-venture partnerships into South Africa’s industrial sectors, helping local firms scale manufacturing capacity and adopt new technologies.

Financial Support: What the dtic EMIA Funding Covers

To assist qualifying South African businesses in expanding their footprint globally, the dtic offers financial support through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme.

For approved delegates, the dtic provides:

• Airfare: Economy class return airfare up to a pre-determined maximum amount.
• Accommodation: Daily accommodation allowance (bed & breakfast) up to a pre-determined maximum amount.
• Sample Freight: Excess luggage allowance for product samples up to R2,500 per delegate.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To qualify for EMIA funding and participate in the Outward Selling Mission, applying entities must meet the following criteria:

• Business Longevity: Be registered and in operation for at least two years with a proven track record.
• Market Competitiveness: Be competitive within the domestic South African market.
• Export Readiness: Be export-ready and/or have previous export experience.
• Supply Capacity: Have the production capacity to timeously supply export orders generated from the mission.
• Compliance: Possess a valid and active Tax Clearance Certificate and a compliant B-BBEE contributor certificate (Levels 1 to 8).

How to Apply

Due to strict administrative requirements, applicants must follow specific submission protocols before the deadline:

• Application Deadline: Monday, 10 August 2026
• Submission Channel: Electronic applications must be compressed into a ZIP folder and emailed directly to OSMTurkey2026@thedtic.gov.za.
• Format Note: File-sharing links (such as WeTransfer) are strictly prohibited and will not be processed. Ensure one application per email, with the event name and date clearly stated in the subject line.

Key Enquiries & Contact Details

• EMIA Funding Enquiries: Mr. Ernest Selota | Email: ESelota@thedtic.gov.za | Tel: 012 394 1995
• Export Strategy Enquiries: Mr. Seth Pule | Email: spule@thedtic.gov.za | Tel: 012 394 3087