The South African Ambassador to Russia, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa says it is important for the South African business people to look beyond the Russian capital of Moscow for trade and investment opportunities, because the country has a number of growth areas such as Vladivostok.
Mpahlwa was delivering a key note speech at a business forum hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Vladivostok as part of the Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) to Russia that started today.
”There are a number of sectors such as capital equipment, road construction, marine industry and fisheries which present opportunities for partnerships and collaborations between the South African and Russian companies in this part of the world. South Africa is a relatively minor trading partner for Russia and this has to change. Both countries need to work hard in ensuring that the trade deficit changes,” said Mpahlwa.
He added that the trade numbers can only be increased through partnerships, trade agreements and initiatives like the investment and trade initiative which offers business people of both countries an opportunity to come together and exchange ideas on possible areas of collaboration.
The ITI was the first outside Moscow and the audience consisted of executives from the Promerski capital where, according to Mpahlwa, very little is known about the South African business conditions and opportunities.
Andrey Aksenov, the Director of Primorye Investment Promotion Agency described Vladivostok as a gateway to the eastern part of Russia. He said the region has abundant investment opportunities for South Africans and is one of the fastest growing economic regions in Russia due to increased developmental focus by the Russian government over the past three years.
The General Manager of Thandi Wines Mr Vernon Henn who is part of the South African delegation said he was impressed by the presentations made during the seminar and hoped he wouldn’t leave Russia empty-handed.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: the_dti
