South African Trade Minister leads trade mission to Ghana

Accra, Aug. 14, GNA - Mr Mzwandile Masina, South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, would lead a delegation of business people on an Outward Selling and Investment Mission to Ghana and Nigeria from August 17 to August 21.

The objective of the delegation is to increase trade and investment, and to deepen relations between South Africa and the two countries.

A statement issued in Accra by Mr Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson, said the mission would serve as an ideal opportunity for South African companies to export value-added products and services to Ghana and Nigeria.

It said it would also serve as a means for companies, which are looking for investment opportunities to penetrate these African countries.

The Deputy Minister said the visit would provide a platform for South African companies to promote their products and services into the West African market.

The mission presents the South African Department of Trade and Industry with an opportunity to continue to pursue economic collaboration and partnerships with the West African countries.

Mr Masina said that South Africa had taken a conscious decision to partner with Nigeria during their development phases and that Nigeria, like most countries in Africa, presents wealth of business opportunities for South African companies.

He said the trade relations between South Africa and Ghana has recorded an upward trend from R2.6 billion to R10.8 billion, from 2010 to 2014.

Meanwhile, trade between South Africa and Nigeria has experienced a fluctuating but upward trend from 2010 to 2014 growing from a total of R20.5 billion in 2010 to R66.2 billion in 2014.

Sectors targeted for the mission are agriculture and agro-processing, build environment professionals, infrastructure, furniture and wood processing energy and mining.

The visit includes trade and investment seminars, exhibitions, business to business meetings and site tours.

GNA