South Africa (Hansard, 27 October 1998)

§ Mr. Wilson

A three year trade and investment promotion campaign was launched in May this year promoting partnerships between business and government in the two markets. At the launch, an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) was ratified and the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) announced its intention to enter into a co-operation agreement with counterparts in South Africa to establish co-financing mechanisms to support joint UK/South Africa projects in other parts of Southern Africa. The agreement was subsequently signed in September. An Internet based Gateway search engine was launched to assist smaller enterprises to research the South African market and a pilot study was launched to look at the scope for promoting partnerships between smaller enterprises, including South African enterprises operated by previously disadvantaged groups. Visits by ministers included an outward investment mission to Johannesburg and Durban led by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry in July, followed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's visit to Johannesburg in September to co-host the first Partnership Week under the campaign with the South African Minister for Trade and Industry. Workshops on privatisation, design and tourism were extremely well attended by South African business and government officials alike. Ministers have also hosted several visits by South African central and provincial government ministers and VIPs. Underpinning these visits are eight trade missions to both markets, and six sector based initiatives involving workshops and follow-up missions planned for the year ending March 1999. The British and South African Departments of Trade and 139W Industry are working together on trade and investment promotion, including hosting inward missions from South Africa to train new entrants on trade promotion, human resource and policy issues.