Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged business leaders to double the volume of trade between South Africa and France. The call came at the opening of an investment conference in the French capital.
With President Ramaphosa in Washington seeking to repair relations with the Trump administration, the Deputy President’s trip is a chance to deepen collaboration with partners on the other side of the Atlantic.
The pitch is clear that South Africa is open for business.
France is South Africa’s 14th biggest investor and this conference is an opportunity to deepen trade ties.
Since the inaugural investment conference eight years ago, French companies have contributed more than R70 billion in South African projects. But trade barriers remain.
“We must move faster. So, we are busy in South Africa now looking at regulations, our procurement policies and legislation to ensure there’s an ease of doing business,” says Mashatile.
Delegates say this event is a platform to drive direct investment in South Africa and grow its credentials as a gateway to the wider region. It also presents an opportunity for domestic firms to gain greater access to the French market.
“Areas such as agriculture, you export a lot. So, I believe there is a lot to do between our two countries,” says Philippe Labonne, Africa Global Logistics CEO.
The theme of this conference is advancing South African-French relations. It coincides with President Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington where the focus is on repairing strained ties.
Deputy President Mashatile says South Africa remains committed to working with the US and the Trump administration, but amid these tensions he says it’s important to diversify and also focus on other markets.
Several ministers have joined the Deputy President’s visit to Paris. As well as attending this conference, the South African delegation is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.
“It will be important to understand how President Macron and the French government view the global trade environment broadly not just with South Africa but generally,” says Zuko Godlimpi, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Officials here say relations with France are moving in the right direction.
The Deputy President has proposed putting this conference on the calendar every two years to ensure that momentum isn’t lost.
Video: Mashatile addresses SA-France Investment Conference
