While Japanese countries are keen to invest in the South African economy, South Africa can learn a lot from the East Asian nation, says the country’s Ambassador to Japan, Thulani Dlomo.
“The investment interest is huge. Big and small corporates are looking forward to hear about investment opportunities available in South Africa as well as the country’s investment environment,” said Dlomo on Wednesday.
Currently the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) is leading a weeklong investment mission to Japan with Presidential investment envoy Phumzile Langeni.
The visit to Tokyo is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s investment drive to attract $100 billion worth of investments into the South African economy over five years.
Dlomo said South Africa and the island nation have cordial relations which presents an opportunity for South Africa to learn from the Japanese with regards to skills development, technology and trade and investment to grow the economy.
This as the South African government views its bilateral economic relations with Japan as strategic and important.
“This mission is a prioritisation of Japan by the South African government. The mission offers an opportunity to assure the government of Japan and the private sector that South Africa is indeed the best country to invest in,” said Dlomo.
The investment mission which got underway on Monday, follows on the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum which was held in South Africa in May 2018.
He said the investment mission is a reiteration that the South African government is committed to the bilateral and economic relations with Japan.
“As the embassy of South Africa in Japan, we are pleased that the investment envoy, Ms Langeni, is here to engage investors and the business community,” said Dlomo.
Dlomo further said it was important for all South Africans to embrace the investment drive, as it would lead to the creation of more jobs and decrease inequality and poverty.
He added that the dti’s investment drive which got underway on Monday will be beneficial not only to South Africa, but to the region in general, as investors would also find it easy to expand to neighbouring countries.
“I am confident that as we continue to position the country as an economic hub and one that has conducive environment for business to flourish and has developed infrastructure, this mission and many more engagements like this would yield positive results that would contribute to the $100 billion investment target in five years,” said Dlomo.
The Chief Executive Officer of Business Leadership South Africa, Bonang Mohale, expressed his contentment about the mission that comes to an end on Saturday.
He said it offered the organisation an opportunity to scout for investment opportunities and position the country as a valued partner.
He pointed out good regulations, judicial independence, abundance natural resources, most diversified economy in the continent and developed infrastructure as some of the reasons why investors should invest in South Africa. - SAnews.gov.za
