the dti TO LEAD BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THE DRC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INVESTMENT AND TRADE INITIATIVE

the dti TO LEAD BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THE DRC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INVESTMENT AND TRADE INITIATIVE

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will lead a delegation of 50 businesspeople to participate in the 7^thInvestment and Trade Initiative (ITI) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ITI will take place from 14-19 September 2015 in   Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.

The business delegation will comprise businesspeople from the agro-processing and agriculture, infrastructure, built environment professionals, energy, mining and capital equipment, medical equipment, solutions and supplies as well as electro technical sectors.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says the DRC is a strategic market for South Africa, with a domestic market estimated at 77 million people and bordered by nine countries with a potential market of 200 million consumers, presenting  the largest market for South African products and services in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Currently, South Africa is the DRC’s number one import source in the world at 21.40%. Total trade between South Africa and DRC is reflective of the regional trend that continues to characterize SA’s trade with African countries. There is considerable growth in both exports and imports, however South Africa continues to dominate the terms of trade between the two countries,” he adds.

Davies says this ITI is aligned with the dti’s post-conflict reconstruction strategy for the DRC which also entails infrastructure rehabilitation and development as well as the facilitation of investments into that country’s economy by South African entities.

“This platform enables the objective of strengthening the bilateral relations, both economic and political relations between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. South African companies participating on this mission will be afforded an opportunity to interface with their Congolese counterparts to forge partnerships and strengthen South African investment in the DRC,” he adds.

The delegation will depart on Sunday, 13 September 2015 and will participate in business seminars, business-to-business meetings, round tables as well as site visits.