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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2012 03:29 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2012 03:29 |
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Africa's economic regeneration needs leadership, South Africa's Trade and Industry Minister, Mandisi Mpahlwa, said on Friday. He was addressing the Kenya trade and investment conference in Sandton. "Economic regeneration won't happen by accident. It has to be lead," he said. Mpahlwa said development depends on democracy in Africa and that it is imperative to urge governments to pursue democratic goals. He said it is encouraging that the Democratic Republic of Congo is now dealing with economic development; that there has recently been an election in Angola; and that there have been successful negotiations in Zimbabwe. "These are things that need to be supported." South Africa sees Kenya as extremely important because of its geopolitical position, economic strength and diversified economy. Mpahlwa said he is aware of the trade imbalance between South Africa and Kenya. "There is a need to address this," he said. Negotiations between the countries resulted in a South African delegation visiting Nairobi in June to finalise the drafting of a bilateral trade agreement. At present, Kenya annually exports four-billion-shillings' worth of goods to South Africa, and imports 45-billion-shillings' worth of goods from South Africa. Kenya's high commissioner to South Africa, Thomas B Amolo, told the conference it is necessary for his country to enter into a strategic partnership with South Africa.  CONTINUES BELOW "We must bring down the huge trade deficit we have with you," he said. The conference and the trade exhibition following it will be an opportunity for business people in Kenya and South Africa to share their views and the obstacles they face when trading, Amolo said. Referring to the violence and deaths in Kenya after the country's elections, he said it is important too to erase the "terrible images we saw earlier this year in our country". A bilateral trade agreement between the two countries was expected to be signed later on Friday. The Kenya trade fair and conference takes place from September 19 to 21 at the Sandton Convention Centre. -- Sapa TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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