WHAT: A chance to meet business leaders and visit retail outlets in the commercial centre of Africa, one of the world’s most promising emerging-market regions. There will be networking opportunities with importers and leaders of trade and investment bodies. Hong Kong and Mainland China import raw materials (especially ores and metals) and many food and beverage products (such as citrus fruits and wine) from South Africa. Exports in turn include electronics, telecoms products, textiles and clothing and chemicals.WHEN:
Monday, 4 March – Tuesday, 5 March
Series of meetings in JohannesburgWednesday, 6 March – Sunday, 10 March
Series of meetings in Cape TownWHO: Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development CouncilWHY: South Africa itself is an important destination for exports from Hong Kong and the mainland and also serves as a gateway to much of the rest of the continent. Many African economies are growing rapidly. Countries on the continent, which until recently had low penetration rates for grid power, are electrifying rapidly. The electrification rate in South Africa’s neighbour Mozambique jumped from 5% in 2001 to 26% in 2016, for example. This in turn has driven demand for electrical appliances.WHERE: Johannesburg, Cape Town