Mpumalanga’s MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Jabu Mahlangu will lead a provincial delegation on an outbound trade and investment promotion mission to France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal from 2 to 13 October 2010. The purpose of the mission is two-fold it is a study tour and an investment promotion initiative.
In France and Belgium, the delegation will visit their fresh produce markets and logistics hub on a study tour, since the province is intending to establish one such market. In France, they will visit the Rungis International Market and the Paris Fresh Produce Logistics Hub. In Belgium, the business delegation will visit Antwerp Logistics Hub, which is Europe’s biggest logistics hub all imports of fresh produce to Europe are channeled through it.
The mission to Spain will include conducting trade and investment promotion seminars at which the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) from Mpumalanga will participate and visiting Mercamadrid Fresh Produce Hub to benchmark and establish access to new markets.
As at the end of 2009, Mpumalanga’s top five exports to Spain were mineral products, vegetables, prepared food stuffs, beverages, products of the chemical and allied industries; whereas imports from Spain were machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, base metals, mineral products, articles of stone, plaster, cement, medical and surgical instruments.
Some of the Spanish companies that have invested in the province are the Kangara Coal Mine in the Piet Retief area, and Acerinox SA in Columbus Steel.
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
