South Africa, Bangladesh bilateral trade relations
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Trade between South Africa and Bangladesh has progressed since the relations between both countries were initiated. In terms of volume, there has been a steady increase in growth in most sectors, both in exports and imports.
South Africa's exports to Bangladesh during 1994 at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations amounted to R1.35 million while its imports from Bangladesh totaled R 26.8 million in 1994.
By 2009, South Africa's exports to Bangladesh amounted to R380.86 million and imports from Bangladesh amounted to R 379.22 million.
South Africa's main exports to Bangladesh (January 2010) are:
1. Machinery & Mechanical Appliances; Electrical Equipments
2. Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries
3. Mineral Products
4. Prepared foodstuffs; Beverages; Spirits & Vinegar
5. Vegetable Products
6. Articles of stone, plaster, Cement, Asbestos
7. Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal
South Africa's main imports from Bangladesh (January 2010) are:
1. Textile & Textile Articles
2. Raw hides & Skins, Leather, Fur skins & articles
3. Products of Chemical and or Allied Industries.
4. Prepared foodstuffs; Beverages; Spirits & Vinegar
5. Plastics & articles Thereof ; Rubber & articles
6. Footwear, Headgear, Umbrellas, Sun Umbrellas
7. Mineral Products
8. Wood & Articles of Wood, Wood Charcoal; Cork
9. Vehicles, Aircraft & Vessels spares and accessories
10. Base Metal and Article of Base Metal
11. Articles of Stone, Plaster Cement, Asbestos
South African exporters of competitively priced consumer goods could find markets in Bangladesh, as can industrial and mining companies wishing to become involved in these industries in the country.
Both South Africa and Bangladesh are long-standing members of the Non-aligned Movement and Commonwealth and also members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC). In terms of trade and opportunities for future South-South multilateral and bilateral diplomatic cooperation, Bangladesh is increasingly becoming important country for South Africa.
Trade statistics (Figures in ZAR)
Trade Statistics (R 000)
Trade Statistics (R 000)
Year SA SA Total
Exports Imports Trade
2006 170,897 78,565 249,462
2007 140,254 170,749 311,003
2008 140,956 358,383 499,339
2009 380,860 397,223 778,083
2010-JAN 9,055 19,598 28,653
Manufacturing in South Africa
South Africa has developed an established, diversified manufacturing base that has shown its resilience and potential to compete in the global economy.
The manufacturing sector provides a locus for stimulating the growth of other activities, such as services, and achieving specific outcomes, such as employment creation and economic empowerment. This platform of manufacturing presents an opportunity to significantly accelerate the country's growth and development.
Manufacturing in South Africa is dominated by the following industries:
v Agriprocessing
v Automotive
v Chemicals
v ICT and electronics
v Metals
v Textiles, clothing and footwear
Agriprocessing Industry
Agriculture contributes 4% to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) and consists largely of cattle and sheep farming, with only 13% of land used for growing crops.
Maize is most widely grown followed by wheat, oats, sugar cane and sunflower. The government is working to develop small scale farming in efforts to boost job creation. Citrus and deciduous fruits are exported, as are locally produced wines and flowers.
Agri-food complex (inputs, primary production, processing) contributes approximately R124 billion to South Africa's GDP and employs 451 000 people in the formal sector. Export of processed agricultural products amounted to R 17.2 billion in 2001.
South Africa has a diversity climates ranging from semi-arid and dry to sub-tropical. As a result, a diversity of crops, livestock and fish are to be found.
South African agri-food complex has a number of competitive advantages, making it both an important trading partner and a viable investment destination. A world-class infrastructure, counter-seasonality to Europe, vast biodiversity and marine resources, and competitive costs make the country a major player on the world's markets.
The establishment of preferential trade agreements, such as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for the US markets and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with European Union confer generous benefits.
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is one of South Africa's most important sectors with many of the major internationals using South Africa to source components and assemble vehicles for both local and international markets.
Despite its distance from some of the major markets, Africa and particularly South Africa, produces high quality products at prices competitive with other automotive manufacturing assembly centres.
Mining Industry
South Africa, known through the world as treasure trove, boast an abundance of mineral resources, producing and owning a significant proportion of the world's minerals.
South Africa's wealth has been built on the country's vast resources- nearly 90%of the platinum metals on the earth, 80% of the manganese, 73% of the chrome, 45% of the vanadium and 41% of the gold. Only crude oil and bauxite are not found here.
The country is leading producer of precious metals such as gold and platinum, as well as base metals and coal.
It is the world's largest producer of diamonds. And experts believe there is still considerable potential for the discovery of other world-class deposits in the areas that have yet to be fully exploited.
The mining industry is also South Africa's biggest employer, with around 460 000 employees and another 400 000 employed by the suppliers of goods and services to the industry.
South Africa's exports to Bangladesh during 1994 at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations amounted to R1.35 million while its imports from Bangladesh totaled R 26.8 million in 1994.
By 2009, South Africa's exports to Bangladesh amounted to R380.86 million and imports from Bangladesh amounted to R 379.22 million.
South Africa's main exports to Bangladesh (January 2010) are:
1. Machinery & Mechanical Appliances; Electrical Equipments
2. Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries
3. Mineral Products
4. Prepared foodstuffs; Beverages; Spirits & Vinegar
5. Vegetable Products
6. Articles of stone, plaster, Cement, Asbestos
7. Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal
South Africa's main imports from Bangladesh (January 2010) are:
1. Textile & Textile Articles
2. Raw hides & Skins, Leather, Fur skins & articles
3. Products of Chemical and or Allied Industries.
4. Prepared foodstuffs; Beverages; Spirits & Vinegar
5. Plastics & articles Thereof ; Rubber & articles
6. Footwear, Headgear, Umbrellas, Sun Umbrellas
7. Mineral Products
8. Wood & Articles of Wood, Wood Charcoal; Cork
9. Vehicles, Aircraft & Vessels spares and accessories
10. Base Metal and Article of Base Metal
11. Articles of Stone, Plaster Cement, Asbestos
South African exporters of competitively priced consumer goods could find markets in Bangladesh, as can industrial and mining companies wishing to become involved in these industries in the country.
Both South Africa and Bangladesh are long-standing members of the Non-aligned Movement and Commonwealth and also members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC). In terms of trade and opportunities for future South-South multilateral and bilateral diplomatic cooperation, Bangladesh is increasingly becoming important country for South Africa.
Trade statistics (Figures in ZAR)
Trade Statistics (R 000)
Trade Statistics (R 000)
Year SA SA Total
Exports Imports Trade
2006 170,897 78,565 249,462
2007 140,254 170,749 311,003
2008 140,956 358,383 499,339
2009 380,860 397,223 778,083
2010-JAN 9,055 19,598 28,653
Manufacturing in South Africa
South Africa has developed an established, diversified manufacturing base that has shown its resilience and potential to compete in the global economy.
The manufacturing sector provides a locus for stimulating the growth of other activities, such as services, and achieving specific outcomes, such as employment creation and economic empowerment. This platform of manufacturing presents an opportunity to significantly accelerate the country's growth and development.
Manufacturing in South Africa is dominated by the following industries:
v Agriprocessing
v Automotive
v Chemicals
v ICT and electronics
v Metals
v Textiles, clothing and footwear
Agriprocessing Industry
Agriculture contributes 4% to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) and consists largely of cattle and sheep farming, with only 13% of land used for growing crops.
Maize is most widely grown followed by wheat, oats, sugar cane and sunflower. The government is working to develop small scale farming in efforts to boost job creation. Citrus and deciduous fruits are exported, as are locally produced wines and flowers.
Agri-food complex (inputs, primary production, processing) contributes approximately R124 billion to South Africa's GDP and employs 451 000 people in the formal sector. Export of processed agricultural products amounted to R 17.2 billion in 2001.
South Africa has a diversity climates ranging from semi-arid and dry to sub-tropical. As a result, a diversity of crops, livestock and fish are to be found.
South African agri-food complex has a number of competitive advantages, making it both an important trading partner and a viable investment destination. A world-class infrastructure, counter-seasonality to Europe, vast biodiversity and marine resources, and competitive costs make the country a major player on the world's markets.
The establishment of preferential trade agreements, such as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for the US markets and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with European Union confer generous benefits.
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is one of South Africa's most important sectors with many of the major internationals using South Africa to source components and assemble vehicles for both local and international markets.
Despite its distance from some of the major markets, Africa and particularly South Africa, produces high quality products at prices competitive with other automotive manufacturing assembly centres.
Mining Industry
South Africa, known through the world as treasure trove, boast an abundance of mineral resources, producing and owning a significant proportion of the world's minerals.
South Africa's wealth has been built on the country's vast resources- nearly 90%of the platinum metals on the earth, 80% of the manganese, 73% of the chrome, 45% of the vanadium and 41% of the gold. Only crude oil and bauxite are not found here.
The country is leading producer of precious metals such as gold and platinum, as well as base metals and coal.
It is the world's largest producer of diamonds. And experts believe there is still considerable potential for the discovery of other world-class deposits in the areas that have yet to be fully exploited.
The mining industry is also South Africa's biggest employer, with around 460 000 employees and another 400 000 employed by the suppliers of goods and services to the industry.