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The trade and investment mission to Ghana is a continued effort to deepen and consolidate bilateral relations between South Africa and Ghana both at political and economic levels. This was said by the South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Lulama Xingwana. Xingwana was addressing an investment seminar attended by the South African businesspeople and their Ghananian counterparts.

The seminar is part of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) week-long trade and investment mission to the West African countries, Ghana and Nigeria taking place from 20-25 March 2017.

According to Xingwana, relations between the two countries are historic, demonstrating collective resolve to alter under-development and set the two countries on a historic path to economic partnership based on solid bilateral trade. She added that the mission was not only an affirmation of our warm and strong bond, but equally a demonstration of an evolving economic partnership between the two countries.

“The importance of Ghana to South Africa as an anchor partner country within the West Africa region, is in a way being recognised and affirmed by the continuous presence of South African delegations in the country. We also salute the pioneering South African companies that have expanded their businesses to Ghana and contributed more than US$170 million in capital investment. These include Stanbic, Group Five, MTN, Multichoice, Shoprite, Game, Edcon, Trellidor, Bigen Africa, WBHO, Mr Price, Old Mutual and Broll, to name just a few,” adds Xingwana.

Xingwana emphasised that the attitude as South Africa towards the rest of Africa was that of being a development partner. In this regard, she said South Africa continuously encourages South African businesses to seize opportunities that Ghana presents to South Africa for trade and investment. According to her, the net effect of any such trade and investment is economic development and poverty alleviation that fundamentally contribute towards realising intra-Africa trade.

“The active economic roles that the two countries play in their respective regions, in a way contribute to the collective lifting of economies of the immediate neighbours thereby consolidating the agenda of regional integration,” added Xingwana.

Xingwana expressed her enthusiasm that the business interactions and networking business seminar, will lead to tangible outcomes and possible deals.

Sectors targeted for the mission are agro- processing; electro-technical; infrastructure, mining and capital equipment. The programme for the mission will also include site visits and business-to-business meetings.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry