Thabethe said this following a trip to Zimbabwe where she led a South African delegation of business leaders and exhibitors to the just concluded Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
“We have also agreed that we must do more collaborative work in developing relevant institutions in the face of a challenging global financial environment,” said Thabethe.
She added that South Africa, through the Department of Trade and Industry, had adopted a strategy for economic engagement with the government of Zimbabwe. The main objective of the strategy, formulated after the formation of an inclusive government in 2009, is to achieve mutual economic growth and development through industrial development, infrastructure development and market integration.
“This strategy adheres to New Partnership for Africa’s Development principles and aims to mediate the historical marginalisation of the African continent in the global political economy,” added Thabethe.
South Africa is one of Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partners. Two-way trade between the countries in 2012 stood at R18.8 billion compared to R18.5 billion in 2011 and R 16.5 billion in 2010.
At the trade fair, 47 South African companies exhibited, an increase from the 34 companies that participated last year.
Post published in: Business