Trade and industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa led a business delegation to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from June 8-10 in order to further strengthen bilateral economic relations between the two countries.

Despite the lack of a formal trade arrangement between them, South African exports to Ethiopia reached R162 million ($24.1 million) in 2005, while Ethiopian exports to South Africa amounted to just R9.2 million during the same period.

South African exports are characterised by high-value products such as motor vehicles, electrical apparatus and chemicals, while Ethiopian exports are mainly vegetable products.

Minister Mpahlwa’s visit aims help South African private sector institutions to explore available trade and investment opportunities in areas including telecommunications, agriculture and leather processing.