The Republic of South Africa has sought investments from India in mining, health, IT (information technology), pharmaceutical and education sectors to give a boost to the economy of the African nation.
India has expertise in mining. Besides, investors can come to South Africa to take advantage of the agriculture sector there,” Rev Harris Majeke, South African High Commissioner to India told media persons on the sideline of a seminar on Mining and Community Welfare organised by Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT) here.
Most of the exports from South Africa to India are primary products and raw materials. “Gold, coal and minerals dominate the bulk of our export basket to India. We need to change this mix in favour of value added products and services. India can help us in this regard,” he added. sThe emissary said, South Africa has formulated a beneficiation clause for value addition where the miners are allowed to dig the mines and set up the processing plant to create employment opportunity for the locals.
The bilateral trade between the two countries in 2011-12 was $ 12 billion and the target is to take it to $ 15 billion by 2015, he said.
India and in particular Odisha are rich in mineral resources. South Africa and India were a part of the same Gondawana land mass and hence have the same mineral topology. It therefore, provides ample synergy to work on same expertise and technology, he pointed out.
It may be noted, mining industry contributes nearly 6 per cent to the South African GDP, constitutes 48 per cent of its exports and provides direct employment to 1.3 million people.