Pretoria - The Department of Trade and Industry (dti)’s business delegation has arrived in Peru for the first leg of an Outward Trade and Investment Mission (OTIM).
The first leg of the mission kicks off today in the capital Lima.
The 27-member delegation made up of businesses in the agro-processing, engineering and construction, defences systems and mining will get an opportunity to interact with their Peruvian counterparts and learn how business is conducted in the Latin American country.
Peru was ranked number 76 as South Africa's import partner and number 90 as the export partner in 2012.
Among the delegates is owner of Letshabile Hardware and Projects, Jacob Moleleki who hails from Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal. Moleleki, who manufactures steel products like steel pipes, trailers, hollow bars, said he is optimistic that the mission will open markets for him in Latin America.
“I am so grateful to the dti for the opportunity to come over to Latin America to explore the market in Peru. This is the first time that my company is participating in a mission and I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that may arise out of this mission,” said Moleleki.
He adds that he is looking forward to establishing relations with potential customers in the mining and manufacturing sectors so as to expand his business.
The two-day visit, which concludes on Tuesday, will comprise business to business meetings, as well as site visits.
Following the visit to Peru, the delegation will visit Chile.
"Chile is an important trade partner to South Africa, as South Africa is Chile's largest trading partner in Africa," Minister Rob Davies said.
South Africa is ranked seventh as an export partner and sixth as an import partner to Chile in 2013. Chile ranked 73rd as South Africa's export partner and 64th as an import partner.
The trade balance between the two countries is currently in Chile’s favour. - SAnews.gov.za
