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Johannesburg - A South Africa-Benin Chamber of Commerce has been established, the department of trade and industry (DTI) announced on Wednesday.
Commerce would promote the economic viability of both countries, said Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) incoming chairperson Sindiswa Mququ.
It would result in the growth of existing businesses and the development of new ones.
South Africa had identified five projects in Benin this financial year: port and rail refurbishment, the building of the Glo Djigbe International Airport, agro-processing, and collaboration between the Small Enterprise Development Agency and the Agence Nationale des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises.
South Africa's ambassador to Benin, Gladstone Gwadiso, said there was a solid relationship between the countries.
"Benin supported South Africa during the struggle against apartheid and mutual cordial relationships between the two countries existed long before South Africa's democracy," he said.
"Business people from the two countries need to take advantage of this relationship and work together to explore opportunities that exist in South Africa and Benin."
Benin Trade Transactions Promotions Agency director chairman Robert Akinde, who also co-chairs the JTIC, said Beninians were eager to invest in and co-operate with South Africa.
There were investment opportunities in Benin in, among others, transport, logistics and trade, textiles, agriculture and tourism.
Akinde said Benin was willing to help companies which were ready to import to his country.
Trade between the two countries increased by 51% between 2011 and 2012, with exports by South Africa up 37%, and imports up 13.7%.
The DTI said this could be attributed to an increase in South Africa's exports of motor vehicles for the transport of goods by 2496.87%, and of iron and steel to 1356.9%.
