M Mpahlwa on relations with China and India

2 June 2006

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa, today told a plenary
session of the World Economic Forum on Africa Summit that the New Partnership
for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) should lead the way in the new relationships
that Africa needs to establish with China and India. The summit, whose theme is
‘Going for Growth,’ is being held at the International Convention Centre in
Cape Town until tomorrow.

Minister Mpahlwa was one of the panellists on a discussion session on how
China and India can transform Africa. Premier of the Western Cape Ebrahim
Rasool, Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete and Firmino Mucavele, Chief Executive
of the NEPAD Secretariat, also participated in the session, which was chaired
by the chairman of India-based Tata International, Syamai Gupta.

“We need to clarify to ourselves regarding the nature of relationship that
we need to establish with China and India as a continent. There is a need for
Africa to establish a different kind of relationship with the two countries.
This relationship should not only be mutually beneficial to the two countries
and countries in the continent, but it should also be sustainable,” said
Minister Mpahlwa.

“There are various concrete opportunities for co-operation on NEPAD between
the African countries and China and India through the multilateral forums. It
is especially important that the multilateral processes are aligned with NEPAD
to avoid duplication of programmes and to ensure that Africa’s development
needs are addressed. We have an advantage in that both China and India
understand the developmental challenges that are facing the continent. These
include recognition of the fact that a huge number of people in Africa are
dependent on agriculture,” added Minister Mpahlwa.

Premier Rasool said there was a need for discussions on China and Africa to
be broadened and look beyond the negative impact of the Chinese imports on the
local textile industry.

“We need to be less defensive and negative and become more aggressive in
competing for access to markets in the Chinese economy that will benefit
Africa. We can learn a lot from the Chinese and Indian economies and utilise
those lessons to our advantage,” said Rasool.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said although it is the responsibility of
Africa to transform itself, China and India can play a pivotal role in Africa’s
development.

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Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
2 June 2006