Deputy Minister M. Tlapa launched his working visit to South Africa on November 7, 2018 when he was welcomed by the Executive Deputy Mayor of Cape Town Mr. Alderman Ian Neilson. On the same day he was also received by Minister of Economic Opportunities of the local Government of Western Cape Ms. Beverley Schäfer. Both meetings focused on the possibilities of expanding business cooperation and opportunities for the Czech entrepreneurs and investors. On November 8, Deputy Minister Tlapa met with President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry Janine Myburgh and visited the construction of a large production plant of the Czech company Pegas Nonwovens, which is the largest Czech investment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Pretoria On November 9, 2018 Deputy Minister Tlapa co-chaired with his South African counterpart Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr. Luvellyn Landers another round of high-level political consultations. The discussions focused on specific foreign policy issues and confirmed the interest of both sides in further development of both bilateral and multilateral co-operation, including trade, security, and science and technology. As part of the preparations for the 4th Session of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation between the Czech Republic and South Africa, Deputy Minister Tlapa also met with Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa Bulelani Gratitude Magwanishe.

During his visit Deputy Minister Tlapa also met with local representatives and distributors of Czech companies operating in South Africa (Česká Zbrojovka a.s./Formalito Ltd, BTL Medical SA (tbc), Era a.s./JISR Institute a.s./Luvhone, Princeston s.r.o.) and gave interview for radio-station Ubuntu.

South Africa is the largest trading partner and a significant foreign-political partner of the Czech Republic in Sub-Saharan Africa. The volume of bilateral trade exceeded USD 828 million in 2017. Regular political consultations between the two countries are taking place since 2010.
 

Author: Michal Jeřábek, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria