The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has supported 12 cosmetics companies to showcase their products at the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng.

Being held from 7-9 August as a hybrid event, the expo presents an opportunity for manufacturers of healthy food and beverages, body and beauty sectors to showcase and promote their organic products.

"The twelve manufacturers are from different provinces, and are using natural, organic and indigenous ingredients to manufacture cosmeceutical, personal care and toiletries," the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement.

The manufacturers will have an opportunity to interact with key stakeholders in the sectors, to create networks and partnerships at the expo.

"The dtic's mandate, through the cosmetics sector strategy, is to promote locally manufactured products. Platforms such as the Africa Expo addresses strategic areas of the industry, which is to help foster the uptake of locally produced products into the retail sector and to promote proudly South African products.

"the dtic deems it important for industry players to transform South Africa's extraordinary natural wealth into products that can compete in global markets because international buyers are looking for new sources of unique natural products that they can market in their home territories," it said.