DENMARK TO IMPROVE ITS TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA BY 50 PERCENT

DENMARK TO IMPROVE ITS TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA BY 50 PERCENT

By BRIAN KAJENGO

South Africa is one of the top 10 countries that Danish government has prioritised to improve trade with by 50 percent.

The Danish Minister of Trade and Development Cooperation, Mr Mogens Jensen announced this during his bilateral meeting with South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies in Cape Town today

Minister Jensen said that they see South Africa as a port to the rest of Africa. According to him, 27-thousand Danish citizens are visiting South Africa yearly. Jensen also said that they would like to have a direct flight connection to Denmark.

The European Union (28) and South Africa, Trade, Development, and Cooperation Agreement govern South Africa’s and Denmark, bilateral trade and investment relations.

Minister Davies explained that South Africa’s total trade with Denmark has been increasing steadily, increasing from R2.9 billion in 2009, to R3.4 billion in 2011, R3.5 billion in 2012, R4.8 billion in 2013, with the exception of 2010.

“The total exports to Denmark from South Africa increased from R1 .0 billion in 2009, R1.4 billion in 2011, with the exception of 2010(R917 million), 2012 (R1 billion) and 2013(R890 million). The decrease in total exports from South Africa to Denmark in 2012 and 2013, can be attributed to decline in external demand, due to slow recovery in the EU (28)”, said Davies.

He indicated that total imports from Denmark to South Africa have been on the growth tangent since 2009.

“Total imports increased from low base of R1.9 billion in 2009, R1.9 billion in 2011 , R2.4 billion in 2012, and R3.9 billion in 2013, with exception of 2010”, he added.