Cape Town - It was "Vive la France" in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon when a joint communiqué was signed between South Africa and France.
This follows deliberations by senior officials of the two countries, including South Africa's Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies and his French counterpart, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, Matthias Fekl.
Fekl's visit to SA forms part of the follow-up of the visit of the French President in October 2013 and in preparation of President Jacob Zuma’s visit to France. A delegation of 36 French companies, including numerous small businesses, accompanied Fekl on his SA visit.
The signing of the communiqué was the culmination of deliberations as part of the revival of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) between the two countries. The activities of the JEC dwindled since 2010.
France is SA's third largest trading and investment partner in the European Union (EU) and total trade between the two countries reached R33bn in 2014 from R23.6bn in 2009.
Despite the growth in total trade between the two countries, Davies said it is a pity that SA's exports to France have not yet reached the same level as before the economic crisis.
SA exports to France include vehicles, machinery, turbo-jets and parts thereof and aircraft parts.
South Africa, in turn, is France’s largest export market in sub-Sahara Africa, in particular in sectors like transport, energy, agribusiness, health, innovation and tourism.
Sandrine Gaudin of the French Treasury said at the signing ceremony French companies are keen to be part of skills support and industrialisation in SA, especially in green energy and agribusiness.
The issue of difficulties in the process of obtaining South African visas was raised a few times during the ceremony and Davies undertook to help ensure that this is addressed.
Victor Mashabela of the SA department of trade and industry (dti) added that the visa issue will be taken up with companies to help them understand and follow the right procedures.
"The work of the JEC is only beginning now and we will convene on an ongoing basis to explain our policies and what we want to implement," said Mashabela.
Fekl emphasised that France wants to deepen a dynamic partnership with SA and strengthen the customs co-operation between the two countries.
"France also want to take part in the socio-economic policies of SA in terms of skills transfers," said Fekl. So far French companies have created 23 000 jobs in SA and he foresees even more in the pipeline.
France's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad Matthias Fekl watch as his SA counterpart signs the joint communiqué. (Photo: Mlandeli Puzi)