President of South Africa Jacob Zuma has declared to Chinese’s business executives that South Africa is open for business.

Addressing a forum of business executives from China and South Africa on Tuesday on the first day of his State Visit, Zuma said strengthening and enhancement of South Africa’s political, economic and commercial relations with China is critical for the advancement of national priorities.

He called on for greater investment in his country from China. “China is indeed a key strategic partner for South Africa, and South Africa is open for business in a big way,” he said.

The trade, he said, will help South Africa meet its development needs as well as improve infrastructure and livelihoods.

“The quest for beneficial international trade relations is aimed at helping us to achieve the necessary economic growth to enable us to achieve our developmental objectives,” he said, adding that the strategic partners in the achievement of these goals.

Zuma said they are still untapped opportunities in various fields.

“There are also opportunities to be explored in manufacturing, especially in the automotive, agro-processing and textile areas, the promotion of a green economy, agriculture, infrastructure and skills development,” he said, adding that it was the responsibility of the business sector to make the wheels of trade to turn, and to keep them properly oiled.

Zuma is in China to broaden ties with the emerging superpower which is fast becoming a top investor in Africa.

The visit is seen as an opportunity to harness shared interests.

Already bilateral trade grew two percent last year to R119.7 billion, driven by Chinese demand for raw materials.

Zuma is accompanied by 13 Cabinet ministers and a delegation of 350 business people, the largest such group to travel with a South African president.

Source: BUA News

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