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Richard's Bay – The goal set by President Cyril Ramaphosa to obtain $ 100 billion in local and foreign investment to boost the South African economy is " modest "and should be reached in one year, said Tuesday Professor Anil Sooklal. "The $ 100 billion is a modest goal, and I think we'll get there in a year's time," said Sooklal, South African sub-Sherpa (ambassador) of the economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, the United States. India, China and South Africa, known as BRICS.
He is also the Deputy Director General for Asia and the Middle East in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
Sooklal was speaking at a BRICS Roundtable with Captains of Industry at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone on Tuesday afternoon
The event was a precursor to the BRICS Enterprise Council annual meeting to be held in Durban July 22-23, hosted by South Africa.
Ramaphosa seeks to attract $ 100 billion in new investments. On April 16, he announced that Phumzile Langeni, Mcebisi Jonas, Trevor Manuel and Jacko Maree would form the Presidential Special Envoy for Investment, charged with attracting investment.
Sooklal stated that Ramaphosa was "the best seller" for South Africa.
"Our president has been treated as royalty by royalty in Saudi Arabia," said Sooklal. In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week, Ramaphosa obtained a minimum investment of $ 10 billion from the Saudis and an additional $ 10 billion from the United Arab Emirates.
"They took the president.The way he marketed our country in these two countries, the Saudi king was in love with him.The Sheikh of the UAE asked him what he wanted them to do. do for South Africa, he was ready, "said Sooklal.
He said that Ramaphosa's leadership style was conducive to attracting investment.
"It paves the way for business people."
"The Saudis have a game farm in Limpopo province where they come twice a year.The Crown Prince has told President Ramaphosa that he loves South Africa." "Do not have to sell me your country," he told the president. "I love your country and we want to come and invest in your country," Sooklal said.
The Chinese were just as positive about the country when Sooklal interacted with them, he said. He said he wanted to bring at least $ 30 billion during the investment summit, and I'm sure that will materialize. He said this to the president and my minister, "said Sooklal
.Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit South Africa on the eve of the BRICS summit, to be held next week in Johannesburg. 19659002] Sooklal said that the "agreements" that would be signed next week would be "very important." When Xi visited Xi in 2015, 94 billion rand agreements were signed, he said. "It's the level of trust we see."
There were 150 Indian companies operating in South Africa, he said, which provided opportunities for growth. "Indians are very eager to come and create a pharmaceutical center here to harness Africa. "
Bin Salman also told Ramaphosa that they needed his help to" enter the African market, "according to Sooklal. They have appointed a full-time minister this year, "said Sooklal.
"This is the first time in their government that they have created a minister for Africa." His first visit to the African continent dates back to South Africa. two months he came as a special envoy, "he said.
The total trade of South Africa with the BRICS was about 450 billion rand. from China to 300 billion rand.
Trade with India accounted for 107 billion rand, Brazil 30 billion rand and Russia 10 billion rand. He said trade with China was still in its infancy, that Indian trade did not reflect the full market potential and that Russia and Brazil were small markets.
There was a great appetite to invest in South Africa. "Japan is a major investor in the South African economy, the third after the United States and China," said Sooklal. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was one of the first to phone President Ramaphosa when he was appointed president. The Japanese want to increase their investment significantly in Africa, "said Sooklal
African News Agency (ANA)
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