A TRADE delegation from Gauteng led by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has arrived in the US to establish joint ventures between local information technology companies and their US counterparts. According to the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (Geda), the aim is to increase access to US and other foreign markets for local companies. “It is not easy for companies in SA to establish a footprint in the US on their own,” said Geda CE Charles Jonker. “A great deal of research and screening has gone into the process of matching SA companies with US counterparts and we are highly optimistic about the results we believe will be achieved through this mission.” Earlier this year Geda led a trade mission to Tel Aviv, which saw the establishment of 28 joint ventures between seven SA and Israel-based companies. – I-Net Bridge