An official meeting
Several South African colleagues echoed the meeting between South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and the new French Ambassador to South Africa Christophe Farnaud in Cape Town on 13 February 2017. During these exchanges, the two representatives stressed the possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in the composite construction sector and particularly in the naval sector. France, leader in the field, can bring to South Africa where it is in full development.
Investor Need
In a statement, Davies said South Africa would like to see investment and technical collaboration in composite applications, adding that this would create opportunities for both countries. "Advanced industries are considered an important sector for our future economic growth. There are many investment opportunities for French companies in the South African composite and advanced technology sector."
Trade between South Africa and France has gradually returned to pre-crisis 2007/8 levels, thanks to an average annual growth of 6.2% between 2010 and 2015.
Follow the example of other Western countries
If France of the nautism is little installed in South Africa, many European actors have already invested the country. Examples include the Southern Winds shipyard, founded by Italians, or the New Zealand mast manufacturer Southern Spars. This agreement is therefore an opportunity for French manufacturers to establish themselves in a country that already has a developed nautical culture.
New meeting at the end of March 2017
More discussions on bilateral collaborations between France and South Africa will take place at the end of March in Paris during the Joint Economic Commission.
