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China has been South Africa’s number one trading partner both as an export destination and as a source of imports since 2008.  That was said by South African Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies at the opening ceremony of the South African Expos that is held in Beijing, China. Sixty-eight South African companies from different sectors are taking part in the exhibitions.


He said that South Africa is a destination of 25 per cent of Chines exports to the African continent and the source of 38 per cent of Chines imports from the African continent.


However, Davies stated that South Africa had been concerned over the years that it was seen largely in China as a country which can provide mineral commodities and not recognising the full extent of our productive and export capabilities. He said in order to address this; South Africa has passed the 10 product list indicating the number of value added products which we can supply to China.


‘This builds on an important point that was made in the Beijing Declaration adopted in the context of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CSPA) signed by both countries in August 2010, which said that both countries will work together to ensure a higher proportion of value added products in the exports which we provide to China. Another important commitment was that we said we will work together to invest in the beneficiation or value addition of the mineral products at source; he said.


Minister Davies said that the South African Expos 2012 that started in Beijing today and which will continue later this week in Shanghai are the events which are intended to give effect to the objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CSPA).


He added that the exhibitions are essentially of carefully selected value added producers who can supply competitive products to the Chines market.


 Minister Davies also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Trade and Industry and the International Brand Management Centre pertaining to the promotion of South African products. It is envisaged that this particular initiative will substantially enhance the trade relationship between China and South Africa.

Earlier, Davies met with his counterpart Mr Chen Deming. Both countries took forward some of the co-operational agreement and endorsed the technical support that will be made available by the Chinese to assists South African around the establishment of Specialised Economic Zones and skill development in the clothing and textile sector.


The South African Expos which took place last year, generated on the spot export sales of value-added products worth R8 million and estimated future export sales over the medium term (next three years) of about R400 million.