South African Oil & Gas Alliance and the South African Chamber of Commerce America: South Africa Sets Sail for Houston--Strong Presence Organized for OTC.

HOUSTON -- South Africa will have a strong presence at the annual Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, May 1-4 when 25 companies participate and exhibit at the oil and gas industry's largest show.

With the boom in West African oil, South Africa has harnessed its engineering and manufacturing base to provide supplies and services to the oil and gas industry, and has become known as a hub for industry servicing.

"We're bringing a group to OTC every year," says one of the organizers, Gary Schwabe of the South African Oil & Gas Alliance, "because it's one of the best ways to showcase what South Africa has to offer--namely, service capability matched with strategic geographical advantage." South Africa's Cape Town is the closest first-world port to the heart of West Africa's oil and gas activity and is serviced by over 600 South African engineering companies. A steady stream of companies offering supplies and services, repairs and maintenance and fabrication and construction serve the African oil and gas industry each year.

The OTC group is being organized by the South African Chamber of Commerce America (SACCA) and the South African Oil and Gas Alliance, with support from South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry.

Fifteen South African companies will be exhibiting at booth 5653 under the South African Oil and Gas Alliance, and ten companies will be attending as a group organized by the South African Chamber of Commerce America.

"For South African companies not exhibiting at OTC, SACCA is offering a unique opportunity, especially for newcomers, to learn about the offshore industry, and to develop new business," says SACCA's CEO Gordon Herr. Many companies will be in Houston the week before and after OTC to conduct business. SACCA is organizing business linkages for its participants, which will include lunches, dinners and private meetings during the OTC week.

To register, visit: www.sacca.biz. For a complete listing of exhibiting South African companies, visit: www.otcnet.org/2006/exhibitors/list/c.html.

Related websites:

www.offshoreafrica.co.za

www.sacca.biz

www.otcnet.org/2006/exhibitors/list/c.html