South Africa can help Pakistan in coal, power industry: Envoy

KARACHI: High Commissioner of South Africa in Pakistan Mpenduio here on Thursday said his country can assist Pakistan in coal mining and coal-based power generation.
" We can provide Pakistan coal to gas technology for power generation to meet its energy challenges ," the High Commissioner said during his interactive session with members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here. He was accompanied by Deputy Head of African mission in Karachi, Sarel van Zyl and its Honorary Consul General here, Ghulam Muhammad.
The High Commissioner said that during meetings with Punjab and Sindh Chief Ministers he had held detailed discussion on energy of Pakistan and offered his country's technical support especially in coal based power generation.
He informed the business community that three trade delegation from South Africa were scheduled to visit Pakistan before the end of this year and they would visit Karachi as well. He underlined the need for more exchange of business delegations and enhanced economic cooperation including entering into more joint ventures in different potential sectors on both sides. " We should benefit from our mutual potential trade and investment opportunities.
There is much scope in this economic relationship for improvement. It is my role and that of my High Commission to promote and enhance this relationship," he added. South African diplomat said the economic diplomacy has become the buzz word in modern diplomacy.
The mandate that he has received from his Government is to increase exports from South Africa to Pakistan and to promote South Africa as a safe environment for investments from Pakistan. Of course, the ultimate goal is to increase the level of total bilateral trade between our two friendly countries.
He said that a number of Pakistani companies have already invested successfully in various parts of South Africa and discussions on several new investment opportunities are in progress. South Africa is rich in mineral and other natural resources, and its government wishes to encourage foreign investors to set up their manufacturing plants there.
" We offer many incentives to investors and, more importantly, South Africa is regarded as a gateway to Africa," he remarked. South Africa also offers excellent transport facilities including ports and international airports for the exports of goods manufactured there. The High Commissioner informed the KCCI members that African continent is the second fastest growing region after Asia.
" We are ready to assist you with your inquiries regarding investment opportunities in South Africa, whatever sector you may wish to target," he said.
He said that the total trade between South Africa and Pakistan in 2012 figured $ 510 million. South Africa exports mainly iron and steel, aluminum and coal to Pakistan and imports cotton and yarn, textiles and leather goods from Pakistan. There are many other sectors that could be targeted for South African export to Pakistan. "We wish to invite members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to approach us in this matter", he said.
South Africa and Pakistan share a history dating back many years when Pakistan was supporting the liberation struggle against apartheid. " Let me use the opportunity to thank the Pakistani people for their support, which led to freedom for all South Africans in 1994," he said. South African diplomat said that he had already visited several chambers of commerce and industry in major cities of Pakistan to share information on trade and investment existing in both the countries.
South African Deputy Head of the mission here, Serel van Zyl also stressed on increased people to people contacts especially school groups of both the countries. Pakistani sports goods are popular in South Africa. To a query, he said the delay in issue of visa was already under discussion. To another query, he said that more work is needed to be done on both sides to decide about warehouses facility in South Africa for Pakistani exporters. " We want some more details from you in this regard," he said.
President KCCI Aamir Abdullah Zaki briefed the visiting diplomats about the role of Karachi Chamber in promoting trade and industry within and outside the country.