The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has called on business to grab all available opportunities the China-Africa trade presents.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, said the Committee concurs with the President’s view that China’s relations with Africa should be crafted in such a manner that will benefit ordinary people.
“This investment should be felt by the people through small business enterprises, particularly in areas of infrastructure development and manufacturing. Bilateral and multilateral agreements should speak to the development of our country, the region and the continent and result in job creation,” Mr Masango said.
“The Committee welcomes China’s commitment that it will not seek to be big brother but an equal partner, and that it is still committed to the Brics Development Bank,” he said.
SA hosted China’s President Xi Jinping and his business entourage who attended the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac). The summit concluded on Saturday with assurances that China will increase trade with Africa and that the strengthened relations will likely result in increased investment than previously.
Mr Masango welcomed the assurance that 24 agreements worth R94bn in various industries had been entered into between the governments of China and SA.
“Decreased exports of raw materials and an increased export of finished goods is an ideal situation that the country should be looking towards,” he said.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
