The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe expressed confidence that the South African businesspeople participating in the 30th International Fair of Luanda Trade Exhibition (FILDA) taking place in the Angolan capital of Luanda from 16 to 21 July 2013, will soon contribute to increasing trade and investment between the two countries.
Thabethe was speaking during the opening of the South African Pavillion at FILDA yesterday. Thirty-three South African companies are participating in the exhibition from various sectors including agro-processing, chemicals, built environment professions and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“South Africa and Angola have very good relations and trade between the two countries has been increased significantly with imports from South Africa to Angola totalling more than R23 billion and exports at almost R9 billion in 2012. Although the trade balance favours Angola, we are hoping that our businesspeople exhibiting in FILDA will identify opportunities for trade and investments in the country so that we can increase the movements of our goods, services and investments this direction as we strive for an equal trade balance,” said Thabethe.
Thabethe said numerous South African companies such as Shoprite, Standard Bank and the South African Airways were already successfully doing business in Angola. This, she said demonstrated that the Angolan market beckons for South African investments.
“We also brought businesspeople to this exhibition in order to afford them an opportunity to network with other companies that are participating from other countries and seek partnerships and joint ventures that they can explore,” said Thabethe who has been in Angola since Tuesday.
Today, the South African delegation will celebrate the Nelson Mandela International Day at a Luanda old age home.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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