Secretary- General: We are now editing a book named as 《Walk into Africa》- China-Africa New Opportunities of Business •Dialogue with 49 African diplomatic envoys to China. This will be a business handbook covering business and investment of 49 African countries. We hope that Ambassador give the inscription and valuable advice for the book because the book’s reader is a number of investors for Africa and Chinese officials. They hope to know about the up-to-date South Africa’s situation.

Ambassador: South African government has just published the latest year book, we’d like to provide for your reference, all the information and statistics in this book about South Africa are the most up to date, would be pleased to share with all Chinese readers. (Please see the attachments included in the email, which are the electronic copies of 2010/2011 SA Year Book)

Secretary-General: As is known, South Africa has successfully held the World cup and became one member of the BRICS, do you think what should be the new special cooperate opportunity along with these honor？

Ambassador: South Africa joins the BRIC summit in China in April this year as an ambassador for the continent of Africa.  This recognizes the steady and unmistakable convergence in the economic fortunes of BRICS and Africa.

South Africa will earn its place at the BRICS table by its ability to facilitate trade with and investment in the continent as a whole. What qualifies South Africa to play this role? Two major factors:

South Africa’s viability as a leading emerging economy – and the dominant African economy – with immense potential as an investment destination.

In this process, South Africa is also an investment destination and trading partner in its own right, as well as a springboard for business in the rest of Africa.

It is impossible to overlook South Africa on the economic map of Africa. Eight out of the 10 largest companies in Africa are based in South Africa. South Africa accounts for 40% of Africa’s industrial output, 50% of its spending power and has a GDP equal to a quarter of the combined GDPs of the entire continent.

South Africa is an investment-friendly environment: financial institutions are modern, even cutting edge; regulation of finance and business is sound; private sector governance is transparent; and our legal framework secures business interests and is enforced by independent courts.

South Africa is a land of opportunity: untapped potential abounds in areas such as beneficiation of minerals, production of energy (especially renewable energy of the green and nuclear varieties), and expanding a range of industries. An increasing proportion of our workforce – and the jobless – has completed 12 years of schooling. There is human potential to spare.