Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina has urged business people from South Africa and the Netherlands to contribute towards increasing trade and investment between the two countries.
Speaking at the South Africa-Netherlands Business Forum in Johannesburg on Wednesday, the Deputy Minister said the two countries have been growing their trade over the years.
“The Netherlands has a very long and reputable history as a trading nation and our two countries have continued to grow their trade with each other over the years. Total trade between the two countries amounted to more than R48 billion in 2014, an increase of 26% compared to 2013.
“There is still a room for businesspeople from both countries to work together in order to contribute meaningfully in increasing this trade further,” said the Deputy Minister.
He added that the Netherlands was South Africa’s 7th largest export market in 2014.
South Africa’s exports to the Netherlands grew by 21% last year to reach nearly R33 billion.
“The Netherlands is one of very few countries in the European Union with which South Africa enjoys a trade surplus. This also highlights the importance of the Netherlands as a major gateway to the European Union with its highly sophisticated and organised logistics systems and networks.
“This is of particular importance for our exports of fresh fruits to the EU as the sector is a key contributor to exports as well as job creation,” he explained.
The Netherlands, said Deputy Minister Masina, is an important investor in South Africa occupying the 15th place in terms of foreign investor countries with a total Capex value of R15 billion.
According to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Intelligence figures, a total of 25 FDI projects by Dutch firms were recorded over the last six years totalling nearly R6 billion and creating about 800 jobs.
“This is highly encouraging and we are confident that Foreign Direct Investment from the Netherlands into South Africa will continue to grow and we trust that the visit by Prime Minister [Mark] Rutte and the business delegation will lead to further investment by Dutch companies in South Africa,” said the Deputy Minister.
The Netherlands’ acting vice Minister of Logistics and Mobility Mark Frequin urged business people from South Africa and his country to take advantage of the strong political and economic relations between the two countries.
He also encouraged them to work together to increase trade and investment between the two countries.
The business forum was part of the Netherlands trade mission to South Africa that started on Monday with the state visit to South Africa by Prime Minister Rutte. –SAnews.gov.za
