SA companies seek opportunities in India

Monday, March 4, 2019

Local companies will today dip their toes in the Indian market as they participate in the Department of Trade and Industry’s (dti) Outward Trade and Investment Mission to New Delhi and Mumbai.

The trade and investment mission is aimed at increasing the trade of value-added goods and investment between South Africa and India.

Minister Rob Davies said the five-day mission will introduce South African companies to the Indian market. The mission will also give companies the opportunity to obtain export orders and generate trade leads.

“One of the dti’s strategic goals is to grow the South African manufacturing sector in order to promote industrial development, job creation, investment and exports. To achieve this objective, the department embarks on international missions in order to promote exports of South African value-added goods, and services to increase market share in markets located in various regions of the world,” said Minister Davies, ahead of the start of the trade mission.

The companies’ trip is funded by the dti through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country. 

The mission will comprise trade and investment seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits. Companies which will participate in the mission are operating in the agro-processing, defence equipment, electro-technical and leather sectors.

Davies said the mission is also part of the dti’s Integrated National Export Strategy (Export 2030) which is the country’s blueprint towards ensuring export promoting industrialisation to spur economic growth.

The strategy aims to increase South Africa’s capacity for exporting diversified and value-added goods and services to various global markets.

The trade mission follows on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to the south Asian country in January. The state visit was aimed at boosting economic and political relations between South Africa and India.

“The appetite of India businesspeople willing to do business with South Africa was whetted by the visit. Our businesspeople who will be participating in the mission will find the Indian companies ready and willing to engage concretely with the South Africans on matters related to trade and investment opportunities that can be explored through forging of new partnerships and joint ventures,” said the Minister.

Total bilateral trade between South Africa has increased significantly from R66 billion in 2012 to R107 billion in 2017.

The dti said that while South Africa enjoys a positive trade balance, the country’s exports to India are still dominated by primary commodities in the form of coal and to an extent gold while imports from India are mostly manufactured products.

“This indicates a critical need and an opportunity for South Africa to increase the export of the country’s manufactured products,” said the dti.

The trade mission will conclude on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za

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SA companies to sample Asian food market

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Gauteng businesspeople say they are ready to access the Asian market and secure opportunities during the 44th Foodex Trade Fair.

The companies, which are amongst the 30 companies that received financial support from the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), will participate in the trade fair from 5-8 March in Japan. 

Foodex is regarded as Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition providing a platform for creating and expanding business opportunities.

The Managing Director of Blue Shirt Bakery, Gys Olivier, says the research that he has done as part of his preparation for the trade fair has shown that the Asian market provides good business opportunities for his products.

He reckons that as a player in this sector, he will be able to find clients for his products.

“I have made contact with some potential customers from Japan already and the good news is that they have shown interest in our range of products.

“We hope to build on that and secure some export business into Japan as well as the Asian region through connecting with interested parties at the trade fair,” said Olivier, whose confectionary company boasts reputable 30 years of experience in the production of edible foods.

These range from pittas, waffles and biscuits, which are distributed across major retail stores and the food service industry all over South Africa and the Southern African Development Community region.

The Director of Lentibex, an organic vegetable business manufacturing macadamia nuts, oil and butter, Thabo Mooketsi, says he has set his sights on establishing new market and distribution channels for exporting his goods and services to bolster his business profile as he intends to trade internationally.

Dr Rob Davies, the Minister of Trade and Industry, says participating in the trade fair will expose South African companies to available trade and investment opportunities and highlight their products and services in order to gain access to the multibillion rand Asian food and beverage market. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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SA to market itself in the US

Monday, February 18, 2019

Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Bulelani Magwanishe is set to highlight trade and investment opportunities in South Africa at the 22nd Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit in New York.

Magwanishe is expected to outline trade and investment opportunities at the summit that gets underway in the United States on Tuesday.

Globally, the US accounts for 7% of South Africa’s total exports to the world and is ranked second as an export destination for South African export products in 2018.

“Bilateral trade between South Africa and the US has shown tremendous growth in the past few years. Total trade has increased from R141 billion in 2014 to R161 billion in 2017 but declined slightly to R157 billion in 2018,” said Magwanishe.

Bilateral trade between the US and South Africa is almost balanced with South Africa mostly enjoying a trade surplus against the US mainly due to exports of primary products and commodities.

However, Magwanishe said in terms of manufactured exports, the US continues to enjoy a trade surplus.

The Deputy Minister said the US remains as one of the key sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for South Africa, with bilateral investments at approximately R2.2 trillion in 2016.

In addition, there are about 800 US companies doing business in South Africa with an increasing number of South African companies also investing in the US.

Of the $4.2 billion foreign direct investment stock in the USA from Sub-Saharan African, $3.1 billion originated from South Africa.

The three-day summit, which concludes on Friday, will focus on how to expand wealth opportunities; supplier diversity opportunities; and diversity and inclusion for minorities and women.

It will bring together entrepreneurs, corporate executives and leading US members of Congress. Speakers at the summit include the host, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressmen Emanuel Cleaver and Gregory Meeks as well as Reverend Al Sharpton, among others.

The summit will be held under the theme: “400 Years Later: Closing the Wealth Gap, Expanding Opportunity”. 

Market access through the AfCFTA

While in the US, Magwanishe will also meet with existing and potential investors into South Africa that are looking to take advantage of the market access created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Last week, on the sidelines of the 32nd Ordinary Session of Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over South Africa’s deposit of instruments on the ratification of the AfCFTA.

The AfCFTA, as one of the flagship projects of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aims to build an integrated market in Africa that will see a market of over one billion people with a combined GDP of approximately US$3.3 trillion. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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SA BUSINESS DELEGATION ARRIVES IN UAE FOR GULFOOD EXHIBITION

The South African business delegation that will be taking part in the Gulfood Exhibition has arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirate to showcase and promote their products in the long-week exhibition scheduled to take from tomorrow to 21 February 2019.  Gulfood has been hailed as the leading food and beverage exhibition in the Gulf region bringing together exporters, importers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers, food producers and restaurateurs from more than a hundred countries. The exhibition draws about 5 000 exhibitors and more than 100 000 visitors from 120 countries annually

Speaking ahead of the official opening in Dubai, the owner of the Cape Town based Art of Taste the House of Amir, Mr Leonard Arangies, said his range of grape and rooibos tea infusion was previously available in the UAE market and sold in most hotels before their contract with their distributor ran out.

“We are here again to remarket the brand, but this time around we are looking for a big distributor with more reach. We are hoping to meet with Bidfood people and also other companies who are into the value-chain of agro-processing from retail, events, corporate gifts and online shopping,” said Arangies.

The Commercial Manager of Africa Rhodes Food Group, Mr Quentin Stanfliet said their aim for Gulfood is to exhibit their range of products to the globe, existing and potential customers.

“Some of the companies that we will meet are coming from Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya and these meetings are to continue building and looking for opportunities within Africa and to establish South Africa as a world class manufacturing hub for agro-processing,” said Stanfliet.

Africa Rhodes Food Group currently offers convenience meals solutions in South Africa and Swaziland. The company manufactures canned fruit and meat, juice, baby food, as well as fresh and frozen meals.

The programme for Gulfood will include workshops and business-to-business meetings.

Enquiries:

Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson

Tel: (012) 394 1650

Mobile: 079 492 1774

E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za

Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry

Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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SA speaks on crises in Mozambique, Zimbabwe

by AKANI CHAUKE

Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said this after receiving a briefing from Ambassador to
Zimbabwe, Mphakama Mbethe, on the economic situation in the country after days of protests.

“The minister added that if the situation is not attended to, the current economic challenges can derail the political and economic progress the country has made since the election of the new president (Emmerson Mnangagwa),” ministerial spokesperson, Ndivhuwo Mabaya, said.

He quoted Sisulu as saying she had noted that protests in Zimbabwe had “calmed down and life in the streets of Zimbabwe is returning to normal.”

Protests engulfed Zimbabwe after president Mnangagwa announced a 150 percent increase in the price of fuel to over US$3 (about R45) a litre.

At least 12 people were killed amid a brutal response to the protests by police while an estimated 100 others were injured.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrested more than 700 culprits suspected of committing crime ranging from theft, looting, violence and public property destruction.

Property worth $300 million ((R4,15 billion) was vandalized and shops looted.

Meanwhile, Sisulu also received a briefing from Mozambique Ambassador, Mandisi Mpahlwa, on developments in Mozambique where four South Africans have drowned and a man is held on terrorism charges.

She extended condolences to the four affected families.

Sisulu said Andre Hanekom, who is detained for alleged terrorism was well and would appear in court soon.

– CAJ News

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Joburg Judo Awards and Commonwealth Championships

  Joburg Judo Awards 2018 Joburg Judo’s premier annual awards gala evening took place at Mount Usambara on Saturday 27th October 2018.  It was a fantastic celebration of everything Judo!  300 guests from nine clubs across the Johannesburg district honored players aged eight and up for their achievements locally, nationally and internationally in both Judo and Kata disciplines. The annual awards dinner is an important event on the Joburg Judo calendar, giving the associa tion the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the club volunteers, coaches, referees, officials and athletes who have achieved at top level over the last 12 months. Says Paul Nothnagel, Chairman of Joburg Judo,  “We received a record number of nominations for the awards which demonstrates the outstanding dedication and commitment of the volunteers involved in the sport of judo across Johannesburg. The awards recognise a select few who have made exceptional achievements this year, but also our volunteers across the province who contribute to making the sport a success in SA, and to every one of them we are thankful”. Says Paul Nothnagel, “A huge thank you to Helen Jones, Lesley Shaw, Craig Billson, Oscar Knoester, Basil Smith, Sonia Billson, Vaughn Heidmann, Guy Imbert, Richard Overbeek, Josie Knoester, Danie Bruwer, Ina Botes, Brigitte Hupkes and Herman Overbeek for their commitment to Judo and being the core role players in this expanding sport.  To the parents, volunteers and players for making all this possible. 2018 was another fantastic year and Joburg Judo has never been so strong both in terms of its membership and the quality of its players”. The event was an opportunity to recognise not only incredible performances on the mat from our judoka, but also the rigorous administration that goes into making it all happen throughout the year. In many cases the very people who are applauded for the former are also responsible for the latter. Unsurprisingly, this has fostered a culture of unwavering participation and solid teamwork within the Joburg Judo community. The top lady judoka for 2018 went to Unelle Snyman who has her sights set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.  She is currently participating on the world circuit in her quest for points and medals required to qualify.  The accolade comes after bringing home gold, silver and bronze from a host of national and international competitions. Honors for top male performer went to David Stockigt who has been active in Judo for 14 years.  He participated in the Africa Junior Championship which was held earlier this year in Burundi.  Here he placed 5th and took gold at the SA Open Championships. Queen Sehlapelo stole the show when she was announced JBJ development player of the year.  She achieved a bronze medal at the SA Open and gold at the recent SA Schools event.  She was however not only recognized for her outstanding athletic ability on the mat but also for her charisma and sportsmanship amongst her fellow judoka. An emotional Sehlapelo was overjoyed with her achievements and tributed her success to her teammates, Nooitgedacht Primary School, her Sensei Richard Overbeek and the support she receives from Joburg Judo which enables her to participate in the local and national events. Joburg Judo currently sponsors 40 children aged 9 – 14 to attend Judo classes at Nooitgedacht Primary School as part of their development programme under the leadership of Sensei Richard Overbeek. Best Players for 2018 were awarded as follows: 9 years           Kendra De Beer and James Hulett 10 years         Klara Vahrmeijer and Alessandro Losco 11 years         Jessica Nothnagel and Janu Malherbe 12 years         Tylah Van Der Walt and Simphiwe Zindela Group 3          Samantha Nothnagel and CJ Schutte & Dylan Martin Group 4          Faith Sookane and JP van Staden Group 5          Skye Knoester and David Stockigt Group 6          Skye Knoester and Dalitso Mukumbe Masters          Tammy Van Der Walt and Rudi Rademeyer   Kata awards for 2018   Group 1          Jayden and Evan Thiel Group 2          Llewellyn Jones and Aston Billson Group 3          Samantha Nothnagel and Billieleigh Billson The next highlight on the JBJ calendar is the Judo Commonwealth Championships taking place from the 4th to the 11th of November 2018 at Sawai ManSingh Indoor Stadium, Japiur, Rajasthan, India where our local judoka Jordan Cockman from Tatami and Dylan Martin from Kano will represent South Africa. It will be 8 days of calculation, strategy and giving the best of themselves to climb the world judo rankings.  The Sawai ManSingh Indoor Stadium and its 2000 spectator capacity will vibrate to the rhythm of ippons, wazaris and crowd cheers as athletes grapple for success. The Commonwealth Championships will showcase performances from hundreds of competitors from 53 countries and will illustrate the global dimension of this highly competitive and culturally diverse sport – modern judo. For further information please contact joburgjudo@gmail.com Clubs from Joburg Judo who had top performers for 2018. Tatami, Bryanston: Hajime, Randburg: Kano, Northcliff:  AJK, Weltevredenpark: Doriyoku, Helderkruin: Nippon, Linden: Jigo Tai, Hartbeespoort: Joburg Judo Development, Nooitgedacht:  Chikara, Sandton: Fudoshin, Randburg

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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China-Africa High Level Dialogue with Business Representatives Forum

China-Africa High Level Dialogue with Business Representatives Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Beijing, China Your Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Your Excellency Paul Kagame, Chairperson of the African Union and President of Rwanda, Your Excellency Moussa Mahamat Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Your Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Honourable Heads of State and Government, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished delegates, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, China is an old friend of Africa. It has a long history of engagement, friendship and support. Allow me to express my appreciation to you, President Xi Jinping, and to the people and government of the People’s Republic of China, for the outstanding hospitality and excellent facilities provided to our delegation since our arrival in the beautiful city of Beijing. President Xi, We are humbled that the first visit you undertook after your re-election to the esteemed position of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was to Africa. Furthermore, a tradition has been established for the past 26 years in Chinese diplomacy that your Foreign Minister prioritises us in Africa as the destination of his first foreign visit. We thank State Councillor and Minister Wang Yi for upholding this practice. President Xi, this is not only indicative of the close relations between Africa and China but also of your personal affinity for the Continent. Allow me to also commend you for the great progress that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has made since its inception in 2000. The 3rd FOCAC Summit reflects the unique and strategic nature of our partnership that facilitates the realisation of Africa’s developmental aspirations reflected in Agenda 2063 through pragmatic collaboration in the quest of win-win cooperation. The outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit in 2015 – including the Action Plan 2016-2018 and the ten new cooperation measures announced by you, President Xi – are indeed welcomed by all. The measures are directly aligned with Africa’s priorities, including the need for infrastructure development, funding and professional skilled personnel. We are encouraged by the fact that that trade between Africa and China stood at $170 billion in 2017, up from $10 billion in 2000. Chinese direct investment in Africa between 2000 and 2017 exceeded $100 billion – up from only $1 billion in 2000. Among other achievements, over 6,500 km of railways, 6,000 km of highway, 70 power plants, 20 airports, 20 seaports and 200 schools have been built. Excellencies, Soon after Africa cast off the shackles of colonialism and imperialism, the Chinese government developed the Tanzania, Zambia and Mombasa Railways that were for a long time a symbol of political emancipation and South-South Cooperation. As we now pursue our economic liberation and socio-economic development of our peoples, I am convinced that FOCAC has taken the comprehensive strategic partnership journey further. In the past three years, China has provided $60 billion to carry out some of the Africa’s largest infrastructure development projects. On land, the Addis Ababa Djibouti Railway, the Nairobi Mombasa Railway, Benguela Railway, the Nigerian Abuja Kadula Railway and the Lagos Abadan Railway demonstrate China’s commitment to Africa. These are all either completed or under construction. Our coastal areas are not being neglected either as China extends its cooperation expansion projects in Port Lamu, Nigeria’s Laki Deep-Water Port and the Port of Dar es Salaam. We are impressed with the number of economic and trade zones that FOCAC can claim credit for. These include Zambia’s China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, Egypt’s Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone and Ethiopia’s Eastern Industrial Park. South Africa and China have cooperated within the BRICS family to drive development by the establishment of the BRICS New Development Bank based in China and the Africa Regional Centre based in South Africa. Our human susceptibility makes us vulnerable to natural catastrophe. However, our common humanity compels us to assist each other. In the wake of the contagious Ebola epidemic that claimed thousands of lives in West Africa, when many other countries were shying away from this crisis, China characteristically responded by dispatching 1,000 medical professionals and medical aid worth $120 million. The FOCAC Framework accommodates China’s cooperation in Africa’s Peace and Security Architecture, established in 2004 to address conflict and instability. China has nearly 3,000 troops, police and observers engaged in 6 of the 7 UN peace-keeping operations on our Continent. Chinese diplomats have worked tirelessly in brokering peace in Sudan. China contributed to transforming the untenable condition of “no peace no war” between Eritrea and Ethiopia into one of friendship and good neighbourliness. Among the P5 of the Security Council, China is applauded for pursuing the “P+4” practice, whereby it consults with the four African members of the Security Council on all issues related to the Continent. As South Africa assumes its non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, I have instructed our diplomats to honour this practice. Excellencies, We look forward to continued Chinese support in pursuing the objectives and priorities outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. We look forward to new areas of cooperation and support, such as the blue economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We gather here today in a rapidly changing and challenging global environment that is witnessing major shifts in international political, economic and social dynamics. Globalisation continues to shape the world at an accelerating pace. While globalisation has brought many benefits, these have not been evenly distributed between countries and within countries. The negative effects of globalisation are manifested in rising populism, growing insecurity, weakening support for multilateralism, the erosion of democratic values, and climate change. This has resulted in a fractured world, where some powers are prone to unilateral and protectionist measures. Your Excellencies, Africa covers more than 20% of the Earth’s land surface. It is richly endowed with natural resources and is one of the most economically and culturally diverse regions in the world. Africa will experience profound change over the next 30 years. Its population is likely to almost double to around 2.3 billion by 2045, comprising approximately a quarter of the world’s population. On current trends, its economy will have quadrupled. Technology is likely to play a major role in improving the quality of life for most Africans – by increasing access to high-quality health care and education, cheaper energy and information. Africa is becoming more integrated into the global economy. Since the year 2000, foreign direct investment has increased almost five-fold, overtaking foreign aid. While such integration brings many benefits, it also makes Africa’s economies more vulnerable to global market fluctuations and crashes. It also increases the volatility of prices for food and other essential commodities. It is therefore essential that we strive to uphold the international trading order and the global development priorities contained in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. As we accelerate the pace of investment in infrastructure and industrial capacity, we must place the people at the centre of our efforts. As we promote science, technology, innovation, engineering and mathematics, we must maintain a people-centred approach. When we create jobs, it must be decent jobs to give our people dignity and a rising standard of living. Our engagement within FOCAC should be strategic. It should build links between dignity, work, opportunity and economic security for all our people. Our people should see and feel the benefits of this strategic cooperation. Allow me to conclude by echoing the words of the revered leader Chairman Mao, who said: “To achieve a lasting world peace, we must further develop our friendship and cooperation with the fraternal countries in the socialist camp and strengthen our solidarity with all peace-loving countries. “We must endeavour to establish normal diplomatic relations, based on mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and of equality and mutual benefit, with all countries willing to live together with us in peace.” In charting the path ahead, we recall also the words of the first President of a free and independent Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, who said: “We have awakened. We will not sleep anymore. Today, from now on, there is a new African in the world!” As Africa, we have awakened to the great potential that lies within our continent for inclusive growth and meaningful development. With the assistance and the support of the Chinese people and government, we are certain that, working together, we will surely realise that potential. I thank you.

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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South Africa keen on balancing two-way trade with Ghana

South Africa is keen on balancing two-way trade with Ghana and key to achieving this, would be the identification of new investment and trade opportunities between our respective countries. This was said by the Deputy Director-General of Trade and Investment South Africa and Trade Invest Africa (TIA) at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Lerato Mataboge during the South Africa-Ghana Business Forum which took place on the margins of state visit to South Africa by Ghanaian President, Mr Nana Akufo-Addo in Pretoria.     Mataboge said that it was imperative for South African businesses to invest in Ghana in order to support economic diversification and create value-chains; as well as for the improved presence of Ghanaian goods and services in the South African market.   “Today’s gathering offers our respective businesspeople the opportunity to renew the economic relationship and strengthen economic ties. We are here to deliberate on how we can collectively address our two countries’ challenges to economic growth by beneficiating our resource endowments,  accelerating infrastructure development, creating value chains and deepening regional integration,” said Mataboge.   Mataboge further mentioned that opportunities in aviation, tourism and construction, liquefied  natural gas, warehousing as well as agro-processing and other agricultural production in Ghana have been identified for collaboration going forward.   “We are ready to work with Ghana to contribute to the realisation of   some of their infrastructure and manufacturing project deliverables that are listed in their investment projects priority list,” she indicated   Mataboge concluded by saying the aim for the Business Forum was to ramp-up efforts for investment facilitation between South Africa and Ghana over the next two years so as to reach the respective countries’ investment targets.   “Ghana has a target of USD 2.8 billion this year alone, South Africa has a target of USD 100 billion over the next 5 years.There remains a lot of room for growth in terms of engagements between the private sectors of our two countries and in fostering more public – private partnerships. Our discussions today should result in a clear way forward in terms of short to medium term goals for forging a stronger bilateral trade and investment relationships. This is the plan that our two Heads of State will expect from us,” she said.   The Ghana Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Yofi Grant called for a regionalisation of African economies.   “As Africa we cannot continue exporting resources to the other world and playing an insignificant role in the lower base end of the economy. We are looking for real African partnerships in oil, and gas exploration, rail, road infrastructure, real estate, the establishment of industrial parks and agriculture,” he said.   Grant added that Ghana had a thriving community of South Africa businesses plying their trade in his country.   “I believe that these companies are placed in the best position to give testimonies on the welcoming business climate that awaits prospective investors in my country,” said Grant.   Picture caption: Trade Invest Africa’s Ms Lerato Mataboge and Ghana’s Mr Yofi Grant.   Enquiries: Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson Tel: (012) 394 1650 Mobile: 079 492 1774 E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti  

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

@NsabasiNBR

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Deputy minister Magwanishe to lead investment mission to india

Following the SA – india Business Summit held in Sandton in April 2018, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe will lead a mission to India as part of goverments investment attraction drive in the pharmaceutical sector. Magwanishe will be meeting with leading companies in the pharmaceutical sector in the Indian cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad in an effort to attract them to invest and expand their presence in. South Africa.   India’s pharmaceutical is ranked 3rd globally and the invetment mission is strategic in terms of our industrial policy objrectives of building a manufacturing capability as a worlld class hub for the African Continent. The mission is targeted to pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumables and will also vsit major hubs, knowlegde and techonilogy centres.   According to Magwanishe the three Indian cities are home to numerous pharmaceutical companies which he will engage with in order to reiterate and reaffirm the commitment of the South African government in supporting their investments in South Africa.   “We will use the opportunity offered by the mission to visit the pharmaceutical manufacturing plants to see the best practice and identify areas of collaboration, both technical and educational,  in order to develop the skills and capabilities of the South African companies, particularly Black-owned companies, as well as small and medium enterprises. We will also identify opportunities for potential partnerships for local companies to work with leading global companies in the areas of technical cooperation, research and development, skills transfer and joint ventures.  We are keen to develop an ecosystem and pharmacetical clusters in our special economic zones to support investments in the pharmaceutical industry.”  says Magwanishe.   Magwanishe will also meet with regulatory authorities and government entities to exchange ideas and explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration on best practices utilised in implementing policy and regulatory instruments relating to the pharmaceutical sector in India.   “The opportunities for investment and partnerships with leading companies based in India will also allow the South African economy and its people to be in a position to have affordable and cost effective healthcare through the inward investment of some of the leading companies that may be pursuing Africa as the next frontier of growth,” says Magwanishe.   A number of leading international companies already have their facilities in South Africa with Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng as among the provinces in which these investments are located. There are a number of pharmaceutical companies which are expanding their operations to meet the demands of the South African public and private sector in providing accessible and affordable healthcare in South Africa and the African Continent. Leading Indian ompanies that have a presence in the South African market include Ranbaxy, Cipla, Dr Reddy, Aurobindo amongst others.   India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally and enjoys an important position of the global pharmaceutical sector.  The South African pharmaceutical industry is a priority sector as per the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). Domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers focus almost exclusively on producing generic products.   Deputy Minister Magwanishe is currently in Vienna, Austria where he is leading a South African delegation at the UNISPACE+50 High-Level Segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPOUS).   Enquiries: Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson Tel: (012) 394 1650 Mobile: 079 492 1774 E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

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Minister Davies launches R1 billion smart factory in East London

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies launched a billion rand Yekani Information and Communication Technology (ICT) electronics and manufacturing factory in the East London Special Economic Zone (ELIDZ) today. Yekani is a beneficiary of the Black Industrialists Programme and the Special Economic Zone Fund. Speaking at the launch, Minister Davies said as a country South Africa has not been able to manufacture enough electronics products but has relied on imported tablets, cell phones and all kinds of electronic equipment. “What we are witnessing today, is a company that is getting into this space which is very important as we prepare ourselves for the 4th Industrialist Revolution. This is an example of what we can do if we put our minds to it. So I think this an investment to celebrate at a number of levels in an industry that is of strategic importance and key to job creation,” said Davies. According to Davies, the dti provided R350 million for the construction of the company’s infrastructure through the Special Economic Zones Fund at the ELIDZ and a R50 million grant under the Black Industrialists Programme for the machinery. Davies also said the dti will in future convene all Black Industrialists beneficiaries that have received financial and non-financial support to discuss pertinent issues on how the department can improve on their incentives grants and also on taking other beneficiaries to the next level. Speaking at the same launch, the Group Chief Executive Office of Yekani, Dr Siphiwe Cele said the new facilities will allow Yekani to lead the way in technology innovation and to help Africa secure its rightful place among global technology leaders. “We believe that this new home will allow us to showcase our capability, flexibility, expertise and quality as well as contribution to the development of the manufacturing industry, not only in the country but also in the African continent,” said Cele.   Cele added that the company want the world to know that Africans are capable of pioneering new technology and also nurturing young people.   Yekani Manufacturing is a 100% Black-owned ICT electronics and manufacturing company that currently manufactures Explora HD decoders, TEAC television sets, Set- Top-boxes and tablets. The company will employ will be able to employ 1000 more people as a result of the expansion.   The Black Industrialists Scheme is a grant programme of the Black Industrialists Policy that aims to unlock the potential within black industrialists operating in South African economy through deliberate, targeted and well-defined financial and non-financial interventions   The Black Industrialists Scheme was announced in 2016 and by that time government   targeted to supporting 100 Black Industrialists by the end of the 2018/19 financial year. However, by end of March this year the target had been exceeded as 102 Black Industrialists had been approved for financial support and 48 companies received market access support.   Caption: From left, Yekani’s Line Manager, Ms Nokulunga Nazo with her CEO, Dr Siphiwe Cele, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Davies, and Eastern Cape Premier Mr Phumulo Masualle at the launch of the smart factory.   Enquiries: Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson Tel: (012) 394 1650 Mobile: 079 492 1774 E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti                                

About Us

The Northern Business Review is a business community newspaper that provides a platform for businesses to market their products and services, as well as build their brand, but equally important the publication provides information, advice and topics of interest, including business, entrepreneurial, economic reviews and simple ideas to grow your business. The publication has a primary objective to “uniquely” represent businesses to a wide audience across the community as well as provide a media platform of business articles and information that affect, influence and uplift the business environment within our defined geographical and cultural community.

@NsabasiNBR

Designed by Nsabasi Publishing©2020