The SA BRICS Business will host a Roundtable on Global Trade and Finance, which will convene government, regulators, financiers, and business leaders to shape a trade strategy that is evidence‑based, future‑focused, and aligned with the country’s national industrial development goals.
The Roundtable will take place on May 27 in Johannesburg, with the following key objectives:
- Assess the impact of recent global shifts on South Africa’s trade and investment landscape.
- Identify BRICS+ collaborations to mitigate these effects and unlock new trade pathways.
- Evaluate internal trade barriers and regulatory bottlenecks.
- Explore how BRICS+ partnerships and currency innovations can support inclusive trade.
- Formulate initiatives to strengthen and diversify global trade among BRICS+ members.
Dr Stavros Nicolaou made this announcement at a session on Accelerating Trade and Investment between South Africa and China through Strengthened Partnerships on March 26.
The event was attended by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and His Excellency Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.
Nicolaou said the meeting took place at a “critical moment for global trade, where there is a continued uncertainty in global trade route supply. And this moment requires a global economic realignment, shifting value chains, and the deepening of BRICS+ cooperation.”
He reminded the audience of the skewed trade relationship between South Africa and China but said a series of strong bilateral frameworks, including the China-Africa on Economic Partnership Agreement, could yield new opportunities.
The framework agreement will grant South Africa zero-tariff access on 100% of tariff lines for its exports to China, in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.
He said this agreement should ensure unlocking a new phase of investment-led cooperation, adding that the private sector is not looking for more frameworks, but more bankable projects, accelerated implementation, regulatory certainty and access to blended finance.
