Four ministers attend UK's BRICS conference

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies will be at the innovaBRICS conference and plans to meet with various business leaders in the UK and Europe to promote trade with South Africa. Image: GCIS

Last week, the Presidency announced that Zuma will no longer attend the conference in London, which takes place on 27 and 28 October. South Africa's delegation willl include: Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe; Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies; Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.

"The Presidency has noted reports about the cancellation of President Jacob Zuma's working visit to the UK, where he was to open the innovaBRICS conference.

"Reports suggesting that President Zuma cancelled the visit because he was refused an audience with British Prime Minister David Cameron are incorrect and mischievous. We wish to clarify that the purpose Zuma's visit to London was to open the conference and to promote South Africa as an investment destination," said the Presidency.

The conference is partly sponsored by the South African government through BrandSA.

Courtesy called planned

According to the Presidency, Zuma intended to make a courtesy call on Cameron during his visit to London but Cameron was not available so no meeting could be arranged.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi is one of four ministers attending the innovaBRICS conference in London to promote trade and investment in South Africa. Image: GCIS

South Africa's participation in the conference will be within the context of promoting the country as a prime business destination. The Ministers will engage with UK business leaders in various forums during the visit.

Radebe will open the 3rd annual innovaBRICS conference and the Ministers will also attend other meetings in London, briefing potential investors on the progress made by the country since 1994.

South Africa and the United Kingdom have extensive trade and economic relations, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the United Kingdom was at R60bn over the past five years and created almost 20,000 jobs.

In 2013, the United Kingdom ranked as South Africa's 8th largest export market, and the 2nd largest in the European Union after Germany.

Last year, South Africa's exports to the UK grew by 16% compared with the previous year and imports from the UK increased by 12%.

Similarly, the United Kingdom is South Africa's most significant source of tourists, with 442,000 British visitors coming to South Africa.