Guida per operatori economici :

''Sud Africa: Un'economia emergente dalle grandi prospettive'' Edizione 2003-2004

per contattarci dall'Italia

tel.: 0027 - 12 - 430.5541/2/3/4

fax: 0027 -12 - 342.2634

e-mail: ambital@iafrica.com

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Italy ranks as South Africa`s fifth trading partner in terms of value of the interchange: 6,7 bilion rand exports from South Africa to Italy plus 8 bilion rand imports in 2001, according to DTI data, while Italian statistics – which include gold - bring the value of the flux of South African exports to more than 17 bilion rand; indeed gold represents around 50-60% of South African exports to Italy also because of its very significant jewel industry; other South African goods needed by Italy are iron, copper, steel, leather, fish, meat, wool, paper pulp and fruits; on teh other hand, South Africa imports electro-mechanical goods, optical and precision instruments, vehicles, furniture, jewellery, ceramics, clothing and typical foodstuffs. Since 1994 bilateral trade has been constantly growing - benefitting also from the Trade Develpoment and Cooperation Agreement between South Africa and EU as from 2000 – and the perspectives continue to be very encouraging;

After a significant peak reached in 1998, when Italy ranked as third investor in Souh Africa, the actual position is not so much in the forefront, but certainly Italy continues to be among the first ten countries investing here; it is worth to mention that the Italian Government encourages Italian business people to invest in South Africa as one can see also from a conference precisely aimed disclosing investment opportunities in southern Africa organized in Rome by the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) in december last year. Another event – a business seminar where a a delegation of selected Italian businessmen, headed by the President of ICE, Professor Beniamino Quintieri, in cooperation with TISA, held talks with their local business and political counterparts aimed at fostering bilateral trade and business relations – was held at the Sandton Convention Centre on the 15^th of March 2002 during the State visit to South Africa of the President of the Republic of Italy.

Some of Italy`s largest investors include "Aeroprti di Roma" (20% stake in ACSA), Agusta (25 of the 30 helicopters to be supplied to the SA Air Force will be built in Kempton Park through a cooperation agreement with Denel) and Fiat (its 178 range – Palio and Siena – are assembled in South Africa); among others one has to mention Magneti Marelli (with a local catalytic converter plant), Filk (gold jewellery), Mario Levi (leather interiors for cars), COMAU (automation),  IVECO (transport vehicles), Pirelli Cables & Systems, Ignazio Messina and Mediterranenan Shipping Company, Mario Levi (re-tanning and finishing plant in Uitenhage), Officine Maccaferri, SICAD (packaging), Agip Lubricants, Cragnotti & Partners (the owner of Italian food producer Cirio, which acquired Anglo American`s stake in Del Monte etc.;

link to the Italian Trade Commision:

Italian Trade Commission  in S.A.

are you interested in investing in Italy? this link might be useful

tel.: (012) 430.5541/2/3/4

fax: (012) 342.2634

e-mail: ambital@iafrica.com