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The Minister of Budget and Small Businesses in the government of the Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr Leon Tshakwiza says visits by the South African businesspeople to his province must translate into tangible investments. Minister Tshakwiza was speaking at a Trade and Investment Seminar that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Lubumbashi yesterday. The seminar was part of the Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) mission that began in Kinshasa on Sunday and ends in Lubumbashi today.

“The government of Katanga really appreciates the interest shown by the South African businesspeople and government in our province. We have very good relations with the people of South Africa. These visits strengthen our relations, but they must translate into true investments. The province of Katanga is a huge area forming 21% of the country with over 10 million citizens. The government has done a lot to improve the business climate in the province and doing business in all the sectors of the economy is without hurdles,” said Minister Tshakwiza.

The Acting Deputy Director-General of Trade and Investment at the dti, Mr Yunus Hoosen said the ITI was the fifth to be undertaken by the department in Katanga. He added that the dti was committed to ensuring that the visits bear fruit in the form of increased trade and investment between South Africa and the DRC, particularly in the Katanga province.

Hoosen paid a courtesy visit to the governor of Katanga, Mr Moise Katumbi accompanied by the South African Consul General, Mr Mahlatse Mminele earlier in the day. The Governor announced that he would be leading a business delegation to South Africa later this year.

“This is part of efforts led by the DRC and SA governments aimed at deepening and strengthening bilateral economic relations between the two countries and providing a platform for businesspeople from both countries to interact with each other, exchange ideas and come up with partnerships and joint ventures that can increase trade and investment between the two countries,” said Hoosen.

Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry