During the last 14 days of October, representatives from 51 South African companies visited Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing to exhibit their products and services at the fourth South African Expos in China.

The Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa held a media conference Wednesday to share their accomplishments of this most recent trip.

According to the trade department, 51 South African companies from sectors such as agro-processing, chemicals, plastics, steel, aluminum, automotive, electro-technical, manufactured products, capital equipment, paper and pulp, energy and renewable energy, infrastructure, information and communication technology (ICT), transport, mining and minerals beneficiation participated in the expos in China this year.

Some of the companies are exhibitors, and some are investors who came to find partners and opportunities in the Chinese market.

"The delegation has found an interest from Chinese companies in automotive and heavy industries. We hope that there will be a number of opportunities in that particular area," said Mzwandile Masina, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa. "We also see a huge interest from the Chinese market in value-added goods like food processing and wine. We have signed one or two contracts with Chinese companies. We hope that when President Jacob Zuma comes to China in November, he will finalize the deals and sign the contracts with local companies."

To celebrate the 16th year of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China, 2014 has been christened "The Year of South Africa in China."

"South Africa in China celebrations have coincided with South Africa's celebration of 20 years of freedom and democracy. South Africa is holding activities including cultural promotions, art shows, trade exhibitions and fairs, academic research and educational exchanges in China, with China undertaking a variety of introduction, promotion and exchange activities in South Africa," Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry, said in statement from the Department of Trade and Industry.

China is South Africa's No.1 trade partner. The relationship between South Africa and China has been in favor of China for a long time. However, in recent years, trade has increased in favor of South Africa.

"In 2013, the trade volume between the two countries was 247 billion rand ($22.29 billion), and this year it has grown to 280 billion rand. It represents a big increase. The structure of trade has improved in favor of South Africa," Masina told the Global Times.

South Africa is seeking to modernize its agricultural sector. There is more focus on the agro-processing industry. South Africa's canned food exports to China total almost 300 million rand. But it remains insufficient. South Africa will upgrade this industry and export more value-added products to the Chinese market.

While China's economy continues to grow, there will be a lot of investment into South Africa. South African companies have begun to realize some of the potential investment opportunities in China too. As China's economic growth slows, South Africa's new strategy is to develop the local market.

According to Masina, there is no Ebola in South Africa, since South Africa is located in the southern end of Africa. However, the South African government is well-prepared to fight the virus.

Concerned about the situation in western Africa, South Africa has deployed its medical team to help countries there fight the virus.

"Africa is an emerging market. South Africa wants to make sure that it is free of diseases like Ebola, so that if a country trades with South Africa, it can trade with the rest of the continent," Masina said, adding that South Africa has made great progress in the research for a cure for Ebola.

Mzwandile Masina, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, speaks at a media conference in Shanghai. 

 

 

Products on display at the fourth South African Expos in Shanghai

Photos: Yang Lan/GT