Deputy President Paul Mashatile concluded a successful working visit to the Republic of France on Saturday, 24 May 2025.
The visit aimed to strengthen South Africa’s historic and friendly bilateral relations with France, with a particular focus on expanding existing cooperation projects, mobilising investments, and identifying new areas for collaboration, particularly in trade and investment.
France is home to over 400 companies that employ more than 65 000 South Africans.
The visit started with a Roundtable Business Dialogue organised by Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), the largest employer federation in France.
This event brought together representatives from French and South African businesses to engage in meaningful discussions, aimed at strengthening trade and investment opportunities in both countries’ markets.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to accelerating the growth of South Africa's market, and in establishing a sustainable trade and investment balance between the two countries.
According to the Presidency, the Deputy President delivered the keynote address at the inaugural SA-France Investment Conference, held under the theme: “Advancing South Africa-France economic relations”.
"A number of South African Business leaders in sectors, such as finance services; health; industrial and manufacturing; real estate; information and communication and technology (ICT); agroprocessing; energy; mining; infrastructure; transport; and logistics were in attendance.
"During the conference, the South African delegation presented an investment project book worth US$40 billion in the agro, rail, energy, mining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries, which was well received," the Presidency said in a statement on Saturday.
In his address, the Deputy President encouraged business delegates to collaborate with the government to double trade within two years. This can be achieved by attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), establishing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and securing financial resources.
He also stressed the need to address critical issues, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, climate change, and the shifts in the digital economy.
In line with the government’s ambitious infrastructure development and re-industrialisation plans, the Deputy President conducted three strategic site visits, starting with the SUEZ Global Waste Management Company, which, amongst others, plays an active role in South Africa’s municipal water management and industrial water solutions.
"He then visited the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), which operates several contracts, including managing metro rail services in Gauteng, and lastly, Dassault Systèmes, which has ongoing collaborations with the South African aerospace and defense sector," the Presidency said.
Deputy President Mashatile delivered a speech, as part of his program at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) Transforming MEN'talities campaign.
This initiative, organised by UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Sector, aims to change mindsets and policies by showcasing effective strategies for engaging men and boys in the pursuit of gender equality.
On the diplomatic front, the Deputy President held high-level engagement with French President, Emmanuel Macron. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral trade, diplomatic ties, and cooperation in multilateral platforms.
President Macron welcomed the outcome of the conference to host the investment conference on a biennial basis to take stock of established partnerships and explore other areas of cooperation.”
President Macron also confirmed his attendance at the Group of 20 (G2) Leaders’ Summit and made a commitment to bring a group of business delegates.
The Deputy President also met with French Prime Minister François Bayrou who commended the success of the inaugural South Africa-France Investment Conference that allowed businesses to make the case for South Africa as an attractive and sought-after investment and trade destination.
The visit concluded with a visit to the Dulcie September Memorial Square, where the Deputy Minister laid a wreath in remembrance of the South African anti-apartheid political activist, who was assassinated in Paris, on 29 March 1988.
Mashatile was accompanied by various Ministers and Deputy Ministers. – SAnews.gov.za
