The minister of agriculture, land reform, and rural development, Thoko Didiza, highlighted the importance of healthy relations between South Africa and Uganda at the second trade and investment summit in Kampala.
Following Covid-19, almost all countries are looking at ways in which they can build better and more resilient economies and communities, Didiza said yesterday. The geopolitical situation, as evidenced by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, has laid bare the negative impact of globalisation, she added.
“The shocks of global food value chains have seen rising costs on food and fibre as well as prices of fertiliser and agrochemicals. This situation has once again made us realise the importance of strengthening our food systems in order to ensure food security for our nations,” she said.
“At the same time, the reality of climate change means we will need to think about innovative ways to produce under these conditions. Therefore policies and regulatory environments need to factor these realities going forward.”
Uganda’s strategic importance to SA
Didiza said she remains optimistic in the face of these challenges because of the trade opportunities on the continent. She highlighted that the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) increases market opportunities. However, this opportunity also challenges the continent to improve bilateral trade within a broad common market.
“In my view, strengthening our bilateral trade and investment creates a solid base for the AfCFTA.”
Pointing to President Yoweri Museveni’s visit to South Africa in February this year, Didiza reiterated Uganda’s importance to South Africa.
“As we are all aware, trade and investment between our two countries are anchored on long-term warm relations that have been in existence over the years,” said Didiza.
“It is important for me to note that post the democratic dispensation in South Africa, our relations have grown in bilateral trade and investment, obviously strengthening the economic ties that will assist in the development of our societies. Interestingly, this is not the first time we have engagements of boosting trade and investment take place.”
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Building a fruitful relationship
Didiza indicated that there are certain anchors that are important for trade and investment that must be considered, namely, enabling regulatory trade and investment regime, import and export, infrastructure and logistics, joint project undertaking, and conflict resolution and mediation.
“South Africa is on a path to grow its agricultural sector as the path of economic reconstruction. The agricultural sector still has a greater role to play in addressing key challenges of unemployment, poverty and low growth in our country,” she said.
“And in this process of rebuilding and expansion of the agricultural sector, we will strive to strengthen collaboration on the aspects I have mentioned above with Uganda, and many of our friends in the African continent. We look forward to a long fruitful friendship with Uganda.”
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