South African companies have until Friday, 30 October, to submit complete funding applications for a trade mission to Türkiye from 3 to 9 December 2026. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition published the invitation on 26 October. Department of Trade, Industry and Competition invitation

The mission targets machinery, electrotechnical, defence and capital-equipment businesses, with a programme of business meetings, a seminar and site visits.

Who can apply?

Applicants must have traded for at least two years, demonstrate a business track record and local competitiveness, and be export-ready or have exported before. They also need capacity to fulfil orders promptly, valid tax clearance and a compliant level 1 to 8 B-BBEE certificate, according to the department’s invitation.

These requirements make preparation important: a business needs more than an attractive product. It needs a credible offer on pricing, production capacity and delivery.

Confirm the funding before budgeting

The invitation offers capped economy return flights and bed-and-breakfast accommodation, plus up to R2,500 per delegate for excess baggage carrying samples. It does not state the flight or accommodation ceilings.

The Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme is designed to offset qualifying market-development costs, rather than pay every expense of expanding abroad. Firms should confirm their approved support and payment arrangements before committing money. Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme

How to submit

Email one complete application per message, with supporting documents in a ZIP file, to [email protected]. Put the event and its dates in the subject line. File-sharing links such as WeTransfer are not accepted, according to the invitation.

Application forms are available under Outward Selling Trade Missions on the department’s Group Offerings page, with separate forms for manufacturers, service businesses and export councils. Applicants should use that section rather than the National Pavilions forms on the same page. dtic Group Offerings

What it means for businesses

The opportunity is to test demand and develop buyer relationships. A useful preparation exercise is to identify which customers a company wants to reach, what it can supply and how it would follow up after the visit.

For an exporter, success should ultimately be judged by commercially workable orders and repeat business, not attendance alone. The immediate priority is a complete application, followed by a clear understanding of the costs and commitments if selected.

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