Business Luncheon with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition - Parks Tau

The Southern African–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGCC) had the honour of hosting an exclusive Business Luncheon with Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, together with our members and partners from the German–South African business community.

The Minister’s address highlighted the strength of bilateral trade relations and the opportunities ahead for businesses invested in South Africa’s growth story.

Key Themes from the Address

Strong SA–Germany Trade Ties
Germany remains South Africa’s largest trading partner in Africa, accounting for over half of South Africa’s automotive exports and a third of certain mineral exports.

Global Trade Shifts and AGOA
South Africa is actively engaged in negotiations with the US on tariff issues and lobbying for the renewal of AGOA through a dedicated dtic presence in Washington.

Economic Response Package
The Minister outlined new measures designed to support exporters, including:

• An Export Support Desk
• Localization funding
• Tariff absorption support
• Collaboration exemptions for exporters

Green Industrialization Focus
South Africa is positioning itself as a hub for green industries, with opportunities in electric vehicles, batteries, green hydrogen, and renewable energy manufacturing. German investment already plays a significant role in this transformation.

Market Access Partnerships
The Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP) with the EU and Germany aims to open markets for South Africa’s green products and align standards for greater competitiveness.

South Africa’s Investment Case
Minister Tau emphasized South Africa’s unique positioning as a gateway to Africa, supported by Special Economic Zones, streamlined approvals, and robust domestic and export demand.

Panel Discussion

The official welcome by the SAGCC President, Peter van Binsbergen and keynote address was followed by a panel discussion, which brought together perspectives from business, industry, and government. The panel featured:

• Nokwanda Maseko (Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies – TIPS)
• Jens Papperitz (B. Braun)
• Theo Boschoff (Agbiz – Agricultural Business Chamber)
• Yandeya Mashau (dtic)

The session was expertly moderated by SAGCC President Peter van Binsbergen, who guided a thought-provoking dialogue on trade, investment and policies.

Closing Call to Action

The Minister closed by calling for deeper partnerships between South Africa and Germany to build resilient green industries, create sustainable jobs, and anchor value-added manufacturing in the country.

This event once again underscored the vital role of German–South African cooperation in driving forward trade, investment, and sustainable industrial development.