SA turns to China for business deals

Johannesburg - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina invited Chinese companies to partner with local firms, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Masina was speaking at an investment seminar in Shanghai, China, where he was leading a delegation of 59 South African business people.

He called on Chinese companies to partner with local businesses.

"Chinese companies are invited to partner with and invest in local companies to beneficiate the raw material before they export them," he said in a speech prepared for delivery.

Masina told potential investors the manufacturing sector, which was a central pillar of South Africa's industrialisation programme, was one area that offered opportunities.

He said further industrialising the South African economy will create jobs.

He added that the South African government had committed R800bn to infrastructure development for the next three years, focusing on rail, roads, energy, water, sanitation and the communication sector.