LACK of information about each other has prevented the Philippines and South Africa from fully maximizing their potential as markets for each other’s products and services.
This lack of knowledge most likely led to lack of interest to learn more about the country, said South Africa Ambassador to the Philippines Pieter Andries Vermeulen, who visited Cebu City yesterday.
To address this, he called for the institutionalization of business contacts and the establishment of contact visits in the two countries.
Vermeulen, in a meeting with Ambassador Virgilio Reyes Jr. of the Philippine Embassy in South Africa and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (CCCI)-South Africa Business Council, said the establishment of contacts between the Philippines and South Africa has led to increased employment of Filipinos in the African state.
His country, he said, lack manpower in areas like construction, engineering, project management and specific types of welding.
BPO contacts
“There is also increasing contact in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector,” he said. “Many BPOs that put up offices in South Africa also put up satellite offices here, utilizing Philippine labor.”
He said products from Cebu, such as furniture, custom jewelry and Christmas decors can also be found in South Africa.
Apart from lack of knowledge, the distance and high travel cost between South Africa and the Philippines have also hindered business growth, said Reyes.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry categorized South Africa as the country’s 34th trading partner while the African country considers Philippines as its 35th trading partner.
“The more people get to see a country and know its (citizens), the more they will trade with each other. That’s how we view it. Right now, the relations are more government to government,” he said.
Tourism potentials
Vermeulen said that after visiting Cebu for the fourth time, he has realized Cebu’s tourism potential for South Africans who are interested in diving but have not yet discovered the Philippines.
To increase areas of collaboration, Vermeulen said the South African Government is reviving bilateral agreements on tourism with the Philippines.
He said he is also impressed with CCCI’s efforts to organize a trade mission to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa on Sept. 19 to 27. He said the mission will enhance personal and business relations between Cebu and South Africa.
CCCI president Edward Gaisano said the trade mission to South Africa aims to enhance trade relations between Cebu and South Africa, expand business network, and facilitate the market entry of Philippine products, among others.
He said South Africa, with its 50 million people, has huge potentials as a market for Cebu.
With these goals in mind and to also develop stronger economic ties between CCCI and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the CCCI’s South Africa Business Council, chaired by Carmel de Pio-Salvador, was formed.
Salvador disclosed that the initial delegation joining the South African trade mission include representatives from furniture, cargo-shipping and port services, among others. (NRC)
