Johannesburg, Aug 7 - Interest in Indian ceramic tiles in the first two days of a trade show being held here till Sunday has been positive.

'Although China can probably beat us only on price, the lower price combined with good quality that India offers cannot be beaten by anyone else,' said Susmmita Dasbiswas, deputy director of India's Chemical and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (Capexil), at the Decorex Trade Show.

Decorex is Africa's only specialised trade show focusing on construction materials, fittings, fixtures, furniture and related items for residential and commercial buildings.

The Indian Consulate in Johannesburg has organised the participation of a 13-member team to display products such as granite slabs, ceramic tiles, laminated boards, technical textiles, sanitaryware and specialty coatings.

Speaking at a matchmaking breakfast at Capexil Friday, Indian Consul General Navdeep Suri described the event as part of the mission's efforts to create an effective platform for business-to-business interactions between Indian and South African companies.

Dasbiswas told IANS that her promotion council had decided to exhibit in South Africa for the first time for two main reasons.

'First, despite the economic meltdown, Indian exports to South Africa are statistically showing an increase in a number of areas, and we felt that there would be opportunity for our members as well,' she said.