Mashatile Confident in Boosting Trade Ties Between South Africa and the UK

Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed confidence that his working visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland would strengthen trade and investment relations that have been stagnant for years.

During an engagement with the South African Chamber of Commerce (SACC) in London on Thursday, Mashatile outlined the importance of the visit. The SACC, which serves as a conduit for trade, community, and investment into and out of South Africa, hosted the event.

Mashatile’s visit marks the second leg of his mission to bolster trade relations and attract investments following his stop in Ireland.

His discussions in the UK focused on key issues such as energy, infrastructure, the political environment, and efforts to create a conducive space for trade and investment. He emphasized that the recently established Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, operational for less than 100 days, is already delivering promising results.

The Deputy President highlighted the shift in investor sentiment, stating that many now have an optimistic outlook on South Africa due to improved governance and stability under the GNU. He said success would be measured by the number of jobs and sustainable enterprises created.

Mashatile further emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, noting that collaboration between business and government had helped reduce load shedding and improve transport, logistics, and crime prevention efforts. The reduction in power outages, he said, was a significant confidence boost for investors, attributing it to the reforms implemented by Eskom and the South African government over the past two years.

The Deputy President also addressed challenges in freight logistics, outlining plans to enhance South Africa’s infrastructure through projects prioritized by Infrastructure South Africa, which drives the National Infrastructure Plan 2050.

Mashatile praised the SACC’s role in promoting bilateral trade and investment, underscoring the need to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive growth.

Looking ahead, Mashatile expressed a desire to increase exports of South African goods and services to the UK, stating that both countries already exchange food and beverages. He called for joint strategies to accelerate international trade.

He also announced efforts by the government to simplify regulatory processes through the Red Tape Task Team, making it easier for businesses to invest in South Africa.

In his concluding remarks, Mashatile reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to peace and stability on the African continent and beyond. He stressed that the country supports peaceful resolutions to global conflicts, noting that war is detrimental to business and economic development.

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