Enabling South Africa’s Growth Potential in Challenging Times

Promoting, Growing, and Supporting the South African Economy

The China Open for Business Trade Mission took place on Friday, May 26th, at the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce (JCCI).

This mission aimed to showcase and exchange information on business opportunities available in Foshan, China, a city known for its furniture manufacturing capabilities, automobiles, and high-quality business products and solutions for the world.

South Africa, a profitable gateway to offshore and cross-border business, has consistently proven to be beneficial to the existing 25-year bilateral trade relationship between our country and China.

Gert Grobler, one of the speakers at this trade fair, commented that Jiping and Ramaphosa have maintained strong relationships toward bilateral relations. A recent message from South Africa to China emphasized that bilateral relationships are stronger.

In April, during the SA Investment Summit, South Africa reached its investment objectives and received 1.2 trillion investment pledges.

Currently, China has been the largest trading partner for 13 years. It reported an investment of approximately 56.7 billion dollars in 2022, making South Africa the largest investment destination for Chinese businesses, resulting in the creation of approximately 400,000 local jobs.

As South Africa, we hope to expand and solidify our relationship with China during these uncertain times.

The South African economy is facing challenges and embarking on a long journey to rebuild our country and recover from the aftermath of the pandemic. However, we remain confident in South Africa as an investment destination. Grobler concluded.

Presentations were also made by Beatrice Ros Abel of the City of Johannesburg Economic Development on the business opportunities available to Chinese businesses in Johannesburg. Mr. Li Min from Foshan (Bureau of Commerce) and JCCI CEO Bernadette Zeller shared information about solutions for business survival, events and training for market penetration and diversification, export and import courses, and other business enabling activities by the JCCI. These activities include the Women’s Desk – Network and Trade, Global Export Accelerator, and fostering and growing the export market.