Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has called on Chinese investors to invest in South Africa's downstream mineral development industries.
Addressing delegates at the China Mining Congress and Expo currently underway in Tianjin, Minister Zwane said the country was pursuing manufacturing and beneficiation, in line with the Nine Point Plan of Government to grow the economy.
"Our long-term view is that South Africa’s minerals endowment could catalyse wider economic development. By this we mean that South Africa is intent on doing much more to develop its manufacturing industry, based on its considerable mineral resources," Minister Zwane said.
The Minister said South Africa was encouraged by the strong bilateral relations with China, which are reinforced through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership concluded in 2010 and the agreement on cooperation in geology and mineral resources signed in 2011.
Minister Zwane further assured investors of South Africa’s commitment to boosting the ease of doing business. "President Zuma initiated a one-stop investment shop aimed at streamlining new investments and significantly boosting the ease of doing business. This spans, inter alia, company registration, statutory transformation requirements, access to energy, environmental authorisation and special tax dispensation."
Minister Zwane will also engage with investors at the South African Investment Seminar, taking place on the sidelines of the conference.
