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The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will undertake an Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to the United Arab Emirates and Iran from 28 August-2 September 2016 to assist South African companies to optimise on the market access opportunities in the two Middle East countries. Companies that are interested in taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the department have until 28 May 2016 to submit applications. The targeted sectors for this mission include agro-processing, manufacturing, oil and gas, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, tourism infrastructure development and financial services

According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, the objective of the mission is to facilitate access for South African value-added products and services into UAE and Iran.

“The mission is part of the dti’s mandate to promote South Africa’s value-added goods and services abroad by broadening the export base, increasing market share in targeted high growth markets and increasing the demand for South African goods and services through market diversification.  The mission will also contribute meaningfully in achieving the objective of the South African government to improve our bilateral trade relations with the UAE and Iran,” says Minister Davies.

South Africa’s determination to strengthen bilateral economic and political ties with Iran has been underscored by the high-profile visit last month by President Jacob accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, including Minister Davies, and a large business delegation. During the visit the two countries signed eight Memoranda of Understanding including an MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Trade and Industry. They also agreed on the implementation of a roadmap to increase bilateral trade to US$1 billion by 2020.

“The lifting of international sanctions against Iran has presented us with myriad opportunities to increase trade and investment between our countries.  The mission to Iran will go a long way in identifying these opportunities. The seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits that form part of the programme of the mission will provide an ideal platform for businesspeople in the delegation to engage with their Iranian counterparts and identify areas of collaboration and joint-ventures,” says Minister Davies.

South Africa and the UAE have maintained good relations since formal diplomatic ties were first established in 1994. The relationship has a strong economic focus and the UAE is already a lucrative export market for South African products and services.

“UAE has a more diversified economy and has a high concentration of productive sectors enabling the country to maintain, growth in the long-term, as well as the development of new knowledge and technology. These present opportunities for South Africa and UAE to collaborate with a view to increasing trade and investment, capacity building, and exchange of expertise,” says Minister Davies.

President Zuma undertook a working visit to the UAE in March this year. During the visit both countries agreed to work towards considering SA as a strategic partner on the African continent and preferred investment destination and primary trade partner.

Issued by the Department of Trade and Industry