African countries' maritime cooperation boosts growth

Referring to the current financial crisis in Europe and its impact on volumes handled in South African ports, Tilayi said that South Africa and Africa shouldn't be overly dependent on markets outside the continent for growth in their economies and maritime industries. "There is potential in Africa," he said. "If we trade amongst ourselves, economies will pick up." According to Media Club South Africa, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) CEO Tau Morwe said that ports are facilitators of trade, and that Africa is growing at a steady pace.

"Regional port organisations need to get together as a bloc," Morwe said, adding that instead of merely being a source of minerals for the rest of the world, Africa needs to develop into a world-class manufacturing zone in its own right, Media Club South Africa says.

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