Cooperatives umbrella bodies from South Africa and China signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster business collaboration and partnership between cooperatives in the two countries. The President of the South African National Apex Cooperative, Mr Lawrence Bale and the Director of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives Mr Li Zhanhai signed the MoU during the opening ceremony of the third BRICS Cooperatives meeting in Cape Town today.
“Through this MoU the two national umbrella bodies of cooperatives have committed to realising true and viable collaboration between all cooperative enterprises in China and South Africa. We have also agreed to facilitate trade and investment cooperation between cooperatives through exhibitions, trade fairs and exchange of strategic visits of delegates,” said Bale.
Zhanhai added that the two bodies would also ensure that there was regular exchange of trade and investment intelligence and technological transfer in order to enhance the capacity of cooperatives in both countries.
“We will share and disseminate information on the latest trade and economic policies of our countries to interested cooperatives through seminars and training courses,” added Zhanhai
Cooperatives leaders are gathered in Cape Town today and tomorrow to deliberate on means and ways of facilitating bilateral and multilateral cooperation amongst co-operative enterprises in BRICS countries. The leaders at the meeting are also discussing possible the implementation mechanisms for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed during the second BRICS Cooperatives Leaders Meeting in Beijing, China in 2011. The meeting will is held under the theme: Partnerships for Development, Integration and Industrialisation Through Cooperatives.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
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Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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Thulane Mabuza, SANACO Secretary General
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E-mail: mabuza.thulane@gmail.com
