Today marks the second day of bilateral trade discussions between South Africa and Ethiopia.
According to department of trade, industry and competition (dtic) deputy minister Nomalungelo Gina, the two-day trade and investment webinar, hosted by the dtic, provides a platform for local companies interested in exporting value-added products to Ethiopia, as well as those who would like to pursue investment opportunities in the East African country.
According to Gina South Africa’s exports to Ethiopia are diversified, covering a number of the dtic’s re-imagined industrialisation policy sectors. “The composition of South Africa’s exports to Ethiopia in 2019 indicates that there is a demand and potential for export expansion and investment in industrial and agriculture sector inputs,” said Gina.
South Africa`s imports from Ethiopia are dominated by agricultural products, chief among these being coffee and spices.
The department said that the targeted sectors for the trade and investment webinar included agro-processing, chemicals & pharmaceuticals, energy & electro-technical, as well as footwear & leather products.
“A memorandum of understanding between South Africa and Ethiopia was amended in 2015 to allow for the establishment of a Joint Trade Committee (JTC). One of its tasks is to facilitate structured and regular engagements, to discuss trade and economic issues, as well as address any market access issues.”
