The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Alexandra Abrahams, has called for stronger trade and investment partnerships between South Africa and China, describing business cooperation between the two countries as an opportunity to unlock growth, expand value-added exports, and create jobs.
This approach is aligned with the Government of National Unity’s apex priority of driving economic growth and job creation, with a particular emphasis on leveraging international partnerships to deepen industrial capacity and expand market access for South African firms.
This includes ongoing efforts to secure duty-free access for South African exports to China. These engagements are expected to be concluded soon, following the signing last month of the Framework Agreement of the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA), which marks a new phase of economic cooperation between South Africa and China.
She made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the South Africa-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum for the two countries, hosted at Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, on the back of the two nations’ 9th Bi- National Commission (BNC).
The BNC was led by South Africa’s Deputy President, Mr Paul Mashatile co-chaired with his China counterpart Vice President, Mr HAN Zheng.
Abrahams said the CAEPA Agreement, will strengthen the linkages between trade and investment cooperation.
“The investment that we seek in infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, and mineral-beneficiation projects will be characterised by more efficient approvals, rule certainty and better policy support for projects by both countries. The new agreement will also shift the structure of trade away from mineral commodities into value-added products across a number of sectors between the two countries. We wish to conclude the negotiations very soon as this will this provide duty free access for South African exports and encourage more Chinese investment into South Africa. Once this is done and the necessary customs processes are finalised, duty free access to China will become a practical reality,” she said.
She added; “We have already identified 100 value-added products that we can supply competitively to China. In return, China has expedited market access for a number of products that include dairy products and greasy wool amongst others. We have shared the Investment Booklet as we believe a number of Chinese companies in the delegation are keen to understand the available project that are rife for take up.”
The Economic and Trade Forum serves as a platform for enterprises from South Africa and China to explore trade and investment cooperation opportunities. She added: “Forums such as these are important because they connect decision-makers, businesses, and investors in a way that turns policy alignment into practical outcomes. That is how we build trust, unlock investment, support innovation, and translate international cooperation into shared prosperity”.
Abrahams concluded by reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to building a mutually beneficial economic partnership with China that supports industrial development, trade expansion, and sustainable economic progress.