The South African (SA) Ambassador to Brazil, Mr Mphakama Mbete says the Investment and Trade Initiative that the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is currently undertaking in Brazil, will expose South African enterprises to the Brazilian market and give them an opportunity to showcase what they can offer in light of their experience in the hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
He was speaking during the third round of negotiations on Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) between a business delegation of 45 South African companies and Brazilian businesses. The SA delegation is on a tour of the 2014 Soccer World Cup Host Cities which kicked off in Sao Paulo, yesterday. The aim of these negotiations was to foster bilateral partnerships and opportunities for urban development, tourism and economic development of World Cup host cities in 2014.
“The importance of promoting these platforms is to showcase the prospects for trade and investment in South Africa, its capabilities and accomplishments in foreign markets. Brazil is a major trading partner of South Africa in the world and a partner in multilateral organisations such as IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), the G-20 and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group of countries, among others. As Brazil's economy continues to flourish, so does their need for resources from Africa, providing a new impetus to the history of African growth, “said Ambassador Mbete.
The Special Secretary of Coordination for the FIFA World Cup 2014, Thaddeus Gilmar Ribeiro, gave a presentation on the prospects of the World Cup in Brazil.
"We want to present Brazil to the world as it is today, with its development and cultural richness, and economic and political stability. This is a unique opportunity for exchanging experiences between the two countries, “he said.
Leader of the delegation to Brazil, Ms Bongi Ludidi who is the Chief Director of Export Development at the dti, delivered a presentation on opportunities that existed in South Africa for the Brazilian business people.
The percentage of goods and services imported from Brazil to our country is greater than what we export to back into Brazil. I am challenging all of you to take it upon yourselves to rectify this by make in-roads into the country, and help us bring statistics to an equal if not greater,” she said.
The day’s proceedings were concluded with a series of business-to-business meetings between the South African business delegates and potential Brazilian investors. The companies participating in these meetings were from various sectors including the built environment, construction; aerospace, rail and marine, manufacturing, agro-processing, services and electro-technical.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
