June 30, 2022
The Eastern Cape Province hosted the European Union delegation in Gqeberha, exploring the Trade and Investment Untapped Opportunities. Joined by the MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) Mr. Mlungisi Mvoko, the Heads of Departments at DEDEAT and Provincial Treasury Ms. Micky Mama and Mr. Daluhlanga Majeke and the Eastern Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ayanda Wakaba.
The Nelson Mandela Executive Mayor Cllr. Eugene Johnson hosted the delegation from the European Union consisting of Mr. Roberto Cecutti, Head of Trade and Economics, EU Delegation to South Africa, EU Trade Counsellors: Mr. Dirk Berg (Germany), Ms. Giulia Casagrande (Italy) and Mr. William Pecriaux (France).
The workshop served as an opportunity to identify mutual trade priorities and further promote innovation and inclusive economic growth at the Eastern Cape and all European Union member states. The session imparted knowledge to Eastern Cape Businesses that have products and services ready for the EU market and those that indicate potential to reach those heights. As such, a group of 30 Export-ready Eastern Cape SMMEs were selected to participate in the session to enable business-to-business interactions which will see trade relationships being forged.
The Eastern Cape provincial government commends this partnership as it works towards improving sustainable economic growth, global export competitiveness, and increased trade. Our collaboration through initiatives such as these will accelerate the process of growing the global export trade awareness, something we cannot achieve unless we join our efforts. | MEC Mvoko
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality views a healthy and vibrant growth and development as critical to the success of the wider economy in the Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape Province. Hence, we envisage a term in office where economic growth and infrastructure development will take top priority to raise the prospects and standing of a municipality that has the massive potential to be amongst the top performing cities in the world. A turnaround strategy is already operational in many of our interventions over the last 7 months in office. | Cllr. Johnson
South Africa´s exports to the EU have grown by 30% in 2021, recording its first trade surplus since the implementation of the TDCA in 2004. | Roberto Cecutti
Online Portal Access to Market provides information for ALL products, for each agreement and for 135 export markets.
Exploring the Export Opportunities in Italy with First Secretary | Ms. Guilia Casagrande.
Potential sectors in France for the Eastern Cape presented by Mr. William Pecriaux
Out of a total of 7 source countries the top four account for more than 81% of projects. Germany is the top source country accounting for 31.3% of projects tracked amounting to US$ 1.15 b capital investments and created 4760 highest number of jobs. Mr. Dirk Berg
Programme Directing the Session, the ECDC CEO Mr. Ayanda Wakaba expressed that "the workshop has great potential to create concrete, economically meaningful outcomes for our SMMEs and have them take the best of Eastern Cape product and service offerings to the EU member states. And on behalf of the Eastern Cape Government, we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish from today’s session".
Click here to watch the recording of the session.