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ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 14 • 25 June - 8 July 2010

NELSPRUIT,

Mpumalanga's MEC for economic development, environment and tourism, Jabu Mahlangu, has discussed possible trade and investment relations with Chile's ambassador, Francisco Marambio.

Mahlangu was taking advantage of the presence in the province of the Chilean soccer team, which has based itself at a lodge outside Nelspruit for the duration of the Fifa World Cup.

Department spokesperson Mohau Ramodibe said Mahlangu had hosted Marambio during a breakfast on Friday at Emnotweni Hotel in Nelspruit, where they discussed investment opportunities in both countries.

“South Africa-Chile bilateral trade will be concentrated on the primary and semi-processed metal, chemical and agricultural sectors. The major focus of this possible investment is expected to attract investment in the green energy, mining, agriculture, ICT, machinery, chemicals and crafts sectors,” said Ramodibe.

“We are planning to undertake trade and investment promotion missions to the Latin American countries of Brazil, Chile, Mexico and India later this year. Our mission will be to explore Chile first to strengthen the ties we've just established, and to also identify a suitable province in Chile with which we can forge links in trade, investments, tourism and sports.”

Ramodibe said the Mpumalanga government was also looking forward to possibly signing an historical memorandum of understanding with a province in Chile, which would be a first for Mpumalanga and a South American country.

Also present at the breakfast meeting were MEC for human settlement Madala Masuku and the executive mayor of Emalahleni local municipality, Linah Malatjie.