Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, while addressing the India Business Forum, in Johannesburg last evening, said that there are huge untapped potential exists in the area of investment and bilateral trade between India and South Africa. Interacting with the captains of industry from both sides, Shri Sharma said that for Indian businessmen, Africa is an untested but potential huge trade and investment market for the future. South Africa could provide the key to unlocking this market. While it is hardly possible to see any better partner for Africa than India. He further added that India has become an important destination for investment and we are inviting foreign capital to fulfill our development requirements, at the same time many of our companies are expanding across the world and have earned a name for themselves as global challengers. "There is also a need to move into other sectors. Besides the business areas mentioned above, South Africa also offers enormous opportunities for Indian firms, especially in sectors like construction and engineering, mining, renewable energy and space science", the Minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sharma said that Indian investment in South Africa has been substantially rising, at the same time there is a growing trend of South African investments in India. "India's involvement with Africa is and has been focused on helping African countries develop their own potential for human resource development. This has been an evolving process and India has, over the years, extended cooperation not just in IT, but also in agriculture, SMEs, transportation, infrastructure, health and education", he added. 

During his visit, Shri Sharma participated in the commemorative celebrations of 150 years of arrival of Indians in South Africa. In his meeting with the President of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma, Shri Sharma congratulated President Zuma on South Africa joining BRIC. He also conveyed India's desire to work together with South Africa in BRIC even as both the countries continue to deepen their partnership in the IBSA framework. 

As regards India-SACU PTA, Shri Sharma said that India is now hoping for early conclusion of India - SACU Preferential Trade Agreement and added that this should provide an enormous boost to ongoing levels of bilateral trade—especially in products such as pharmaceuticals, machinery, automobiles, where India enjoys a competitive advantage. 

Inaugurating the first-ever MMTC Office in Johannesburg, Shri Sharma said that this will allow us to enhance our direct purchases of key commodities from South Africa including gold and other metals and minerals. The Minister mentioned that MMTC would like to use this office for exploring vast opportunities for sourcing ferrous and non-ferrous metals i.e. nickel, aluminum, copper, tin, zinc, silicon, magnesium, titanium and cobalt from South Africa. The office of MMTC in South Africa could look at business opportunities in the entire African continent and would facilitate greater cooperation. Sourcing of Rough Diamonds and cooperation in the field of Precious Stones could be focus areas for both the countries. MMTC is looking for import of coal and joint ventures for coal exploration with African companies with a committed buy-back arrangement. 

India is South Africa's largest trading partner in South and South-East Asia and one of South Africa's top-ten trading partners globally. Total trade has more than doubled since 2004-05 to cross $7.5 billion. The bilateral trade, has grown from US $ 3.18 billion in 2004-05 to US $ 7.73 billion in 2009-10. In the year 2009-10, India's exports to South Africa were US $ 2,058 million and imports from South Africa were US $ 5,674 million. Bilateral trade during this period (April-Sep. 2010) was to the tune of US $ 5,393 mn, up from US $ 3,757 mn in the corresponding 6-month period of April-Sep. 2009. Exports from India to South Africa during the 6-month period of April, 2010 to September, 2010 were US $ 2,267 mn, registering a growth of 118 % over the corresponding 6-month period of April-Sep. 2009. Imports from South Africa to India during the 6-month period of April, 2010 to September, 2010 were US $ 3,125 mn, registering a growth of 15% over the corresponding 6-month period of April-Sep. 2009. 

India's exports to South Africa comprises mineral fuels, automobiles, iron & steel, machinery and instruments, organic and inorganic chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, cotton yarn and fabrics and rice and other cereals. India's imports from South Africa were gold, aluminium, phosphoric acid, coal, pulp and waste paper, precious stones including diamonds, etc.