The business-to-business exchanges and the insightful sharing of intelligence on economic opportunities that exist in South Africa and Gabon that have been taking place between the two countries’ businesspeople this week will lead to increased trade between the two countries.
This optimism was expressed by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe when she concluded the Investment and Trade Initiative Mission Gabon in Libreville yesterday.
“The impressive attendance from the Gabonese business community to our seminars is also affirmation that economic opportunities do exist in the two markets and it is from this response that I can safely declare that South Africa is ready and open to do business with Gabon,” said Thabethe.
The investment mission that she led consisted of a business delegation from various sectors of the economy on a sector specific business with the aim of deepening economic cooperation and stimulating trade and investment with Cameroon and Gabon specifically within the agricultural, mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, infrastructure and ICT sectors.
According to Thabethe the Cameroon-Gabon mission has already started yielding rewards.
“It gives me pleasure to announce that our hard work in arranging the seminar is already producing results. Mr Loganathan Moodley of Fullimpit, a South African construction company is currently concluding a deal to build an Engen filling station in Gabon with Capital Construction a Gabonese company. And also the joint partnership of Ms Nomvula Twala (Reyakopele Construction) and Ms Nomshado Madonsela (Basadi Civil Construction) are also finalising a brick manufacturing deal with a Gabonese company. I can only wish that these outcomes will lead to even more lucrative partnerships,” she said.
Last week Deputy Minister Thabethe together with a South African delegation comprising of businesspeople from various sectors of the economy met with the Cameroonian business community at a Trade and Investment Seminar at Cameroon. The aim of the visit was also to deepen economic cooperation and stimulate trade and investment among the two countries.
Thabethe told businesspeople that South Africa had made conditions conducive for doing business with other countries.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
