The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, will lead a delegation of approximately seventy five South African business people on an Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) to Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 13 to 21 June 2012.
The ITI is part of the Department of Trade and Industry's Export and Investment Promotion Strategy that focuses on targeted high growth markets with the objective of creating investment and export opportunities for South African companies and of promoting South Africa as a trade and investment destination.
The business delegation comprises of companies in the following sectors: automotive components, infrastructure, engineering, construction, energy, high-end furniture, agriculture and agro-processing, mining and capital equipment, as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seeking to export South African value-added products and services or to enter into joint venture partnerships with companies in the DRC.
Planned activities during the ITI include trade and investment seminars, exhibitions, business-to-business meetings and site visits, all of which will provide opportunities to create market penetration for South African value-added products and services in the DRC.
Deputy Minister Thabethe says the ITI to the DRC will strengthen economic cooperation between the business communities of both countries through the formation of joint ventures and partnerships.
“Participation by South African companies in the ITI will provide an excellent platform for identifying trade and investment opportunities in the two countries in the targeted sectors, create awareness of South African value-added goods and services, and increase South Africa’s exports to DRC. It will also promote outward investment to the DRC as well as joint ventures between South African and DRC companies,” says Thabethe.
“South Africa’s participation in the reconstruction and development of the DRC can be achieved by continuous government to government engagement and exposing South African companies to the DRC market.” says Thabethe.
Thabethe believes that the DRC, like most countries in Africa, presents a wealth of business opportunities for South African companies. The reconstruction of the infrastructure in the DRC (roads, telecommunications, airports and harbours) will facilitate increased productive capacity and invariably raise the standard of living for the majority of the people. By establishing their presence in the DRC, South African companies will be able to access other markets in the Southern African Development Community and Central Africa regions.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
