Remarks by Deputy President Paul Mashatile during the Opening Ceremony of the China International Import Expo (CIIE)

Premier LI Qiang, Head of Government Business, and responsible for the economy
Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Leaders and CEOs of Businesses;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Morning, 

It gives me great pleasure to be addressing this esteemed audience during this 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE). 

Our participation at CIIE 2023 is taking place on the back of three significant events. 

The first is the recent BRICS Summit which South Africa hosted. At this summit, our two countries, together with the other founding BRICS partners, agreed to expand the membership for greater global influence and impact. 

The second is the Procurement Mission led by Minister WANG Wentao of MOFCOM, which resulted in purchase agreements for South Africa products of approximately USD2.2 billion. 

The third event is the Bi-National Commission (BNC) held on the 3rd November 2023; which the Vice President Han Zheng and I co-chaired. 

I am pleased to share that our two governments will continue to explore various avenues of strengthening and deepening our long-standing economic, trade and people to people relations. 

By advancing more South African value added products from a Top 10 category to an exponential Top 100 products, we are confident that we making progress on our bilateral trade.

Against this backdrop, we commend the Chinese government’s efforts to continuously host the China International Import Expo (CIIE), thereby opening this market to the world, and to Africa in particular. 

This unique platform provides companies around the world the opportunities to showcase the products and services; to expand their network; to conclude trade deals whilst at the same time; learning about the culture of doing business with Chinese enterprises and getting first-hand information on compliance and adherence to Chinese protocols. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

South Africa has optimised the space accorded to us at the Country Pavillion for Trade and Investment where 25 South African entities that comprise Provincial Trade & Investment Agencies, Export Councils and other Manufactures have been supported to exhibit at this premier location.
   
We have also secured additional space at The Enterprise and Business Fair. A further 11 business enterprises are showcasing the best of South Africa’s agricultural Produce as well as Agro-processing products. 

Last but not least, Standard Bank of South Africa (SBSA) in partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is also showcasing some of their clients. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you to come with us to come and explore the best of South Africa’s products and services.
 
We have a wide array of value-added products in the diverse sectors of Creative Industries, Medical Equipment; Clothing & Textiles; Cosmetics; Metals; Mining and Engineering Services; Manufacturing as well as Aerospace & Defence Technologies. 

We are confident that the group of businesspeople that we have supported  to participate in the multi-sectoral expo will not only find markets for their products through the business-to-business meetings that the CIIE are organisers, but they will also identify opportunities for joint trade and investment ventures.

I would also like to invite you to take a tour of our Pavilions in Hall 5,2 and Hall 2,2 at your leisure to engage the different business people that have joined us. I promise that you will not be disappointed at the quality and variety of what will be on offer. 

I look forward to a successful show and wish all participating companies every success. 

Thank you