South Africa is exploring the possibilities of establishing direct air links with Sri Lanka. The mutual understanding emerged when High Commissioner of South Africa Geoff Doidge made a courtesy call on Minister of Industry & Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.
“To reinvigorate bilateral trade, we need to start exchanging business and industry delegations mutually. As an initial step, I invite South African business and industry delegations to the mega export exhibition Sri Lanka EXPO 2012, organized by the EDB to be held from 28th to 30th of March, 2012 in Colombo” Minister Bathiudeen informed Geoff Doidge.
Minister Bathiudeen also discussed Sri Lanka’s participation in the next SAITEX (South African International Trade Exhibition). Sri Lanka already took part in SAITEX 2010, held from 25 – 27 July 2010 in Johannesburg, and Sri Lanka Road Show in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
South Africa is the most important trading partner for Sri Lanka in the Southern African region and South Africa is also considered as the biggest export market for Sri Lanka in the South African region. There is a favourable trade balance of 2.4 Mn for Sri Lanka in 2010. Total exports from Sri Lanka to South Africa has increased over the past 8 years from US $ 10.41 Mn in 2002 to US $ 15.6 Mn in the year 2009 recoding a significant increase of 50%. In 2010 Sri Lanka’s exports to South Africa has increased by 33.5% to US $ 20.8 Mn. As for imports, in 2002, imports from South Africa stood at US $ 29.72 million while in 2010 it fell to $ 17.90 million, reporting a positive favourable balance for Sri Lanka.
“Among South Africa’s exports are diamonds, gold, metals & minerals, sugar, fruits, and corn. South Africa can invest in Sri Lanka with a view to benefitting from Sri Lanka’s FTAs with India and Pakistan and also our regional trade agreements SAFTA and APTA, South Africa can use Sri Lanka as a manufacturing base to reach the Asian region” Minister Bathiudeen revealed.
“South Africa wants to establish direct air links with Sri Lanka and we shall most welcome a direct airlift agreement to this end” responded Doidge to Minister Bathiudeen. “We also like to see a coordinated single window mechanism consisting of the EDB, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Sri Lanka Customs etc for South Africa to interact with as a single point of contact” Geoff Doidge said.
Revealing South Africa’s investment priorities in the country, Geoff Doidge said: “South Africa can introduce its well- known west coast fishing industry Companies to fishery industry in the North and East. We are also willing to invest in the gem and jewellery sector, fruit and juice processing, and tourism. South Africa being a top gold and diamond producer in the world, our potential investments, in Sri Lanka on gem and jewelley, if made, can go long way to bolster Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector. Also with more than $ 10000 per capita income (on PPP), SA itself is a ready and a strong market for Sri Lankan gems.” Doidge added that Sri Lanka can also use South Africa as a base to access other African markets.