On April 5, in the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a meeting of the management of the MCCI with a delegation from the South African province of Mpumalanga (Republic of South Africa) took place. Participating in the meeting were the President of the MCCI Mr. Vladimir Platonov, and the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in the Russian Federation, Sir Henri Short.
The president of the MCCI noted that the Chamber attaches a great deal of importance to international relations and that it has a special commission, focusing on cooperation with partners in the Republic of South Africa, whose purpose is the development of mutually advantageous dialogue and business collaboration.
The province is located in the northeast of the Republic of South Africa and borders on Mozambique and Swaziland. The population of the province is about 4 million people. Agriculture, mining (gold, platinum, silicon, chrome, antimony, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, tin, magnesite, etc.), pulp and paper industry, tourism are the mainstays of the economy of the province.
Sir Henry Short reminded that since April 1, 2017, between Russia and South Africa there exists a visa-free regime that contributes to the development of both business and tourist links. Members of the delegation reported on plans to create a technological park, which will be based on petrochemical production. The delegation from South Africa plans to visit the international business forum "Russia for investors-investors for Russia" on June, 20-22, in the World Trade Center in Moscow.
The Chairman of the Commission of the MCCI on the external economic cooperation with partners in the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Vladimir Lebedev, noted that Russia is very interested in developing business connections, even despite the temporary lack of direct flights and invited a business delegation to visit Moscow.
The parties agreed to intensify interaction between the respective Chambers and to sign a cooperation agreement, and also establish a regular exchange of business information.