Additional Comment on South Africa Trading More with Africa
1) Peggy Drodskie of SACCI
This survey seems to confirm that with the economic woes being experienced in the countries with which South Africa has in the past had strong business ties, order books are not as robust as before. South African manufacturers are therefore finding alternative markets in Africa. This coupled with the fact that the growth rate in many African countries is relatively high provides a market for South African products. In addition, the tripartite free trade agreement between the three major trading blocs in sub-Saharan Africa (SADC, COMESA and EAC)has attracted significant foreign aid for infrastructure development. In addition African states are opening their doors and encouraging trade and investment. Thus it makes sense for South African manufacturers to turn to Africa .
ZA Confidential 