SA, Poland sign trade deal

Johannesburg - South Africa has endorsed a trade deal with Poland, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday.

"We have signed an agreement to create a joint economic commission (JEC) which will develop a framework for the further acceleration of our economic, commercial and technical co-operation," he said.

In a speech prepared for delivery at a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Johannesburg, Motlanthe said he hoped the JEC would provide both Polish and South African entrepreneurs and investors with better conditions to improve trade between the countries.

"Other opportunities for increased trade and investment exist in industries such as build infrastructure, mining, machinery building; in metallurgy, science and technology, and food processing."

Opportunities for direct foreign investment were developing in the paper, furniture, retail, and distribution sectors.

A further agreement was mooted between the Industrial Development Corporation and its Polish counterpart.

Motlanthe said trade between the countries had grown steadily over the past six years.