Country Guide
South Africa
Business

South Africa Business

Zebra in Mokala National Park © 123rf.com/Nico Smit

• GDP: US$506.1 billion (2008 estimate).
• Main imports: Machinery, plastic products, chemicals, vehicles and food.
• Main exports: Mineral raw materials (gold, diamonds, platinum), agricultural produce, chemical products and machinery.
• Main trade partners: Germany, UK, USA, Japan and China.

Economy

The South African economy dominates the region. Agriculture is strong enough to allow South Africa virtual self-sufficiency in foodstuffs: livestock is reared extensively, and large amounts of sugar, maize and cereals are produced. Wine and fruit are exported in large quantities.

The industrial sector has traditionally been based on mining: it has long been the one of the world's largest producer and exporter of gold, platinum and diamonds, and it also has considerable deposits of coal, chromium, manganese and vanadium.

After decades of inflation running into double figures, the period from 2004 to the onset of the global financial downturn in 2008 were marked by healthy growth matched by inflation of under 5%. Reduced interest rates encouraged greater consumer spending and a construction boom, partly in preparation for the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup. Unemployment is falling, but remains high, at 21.7% in 2008. Other long-term problems include poverty, a high level of HIV/AIDS infection and inadequacies in the country's infrastructure, particularly the public transport system and electricity supply network.

South Africa is the dominant member of the local Southern African Customs Union, SACU (with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland); it is also a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

Business Etiquette

Suits are usually worn for meetings. Appointments are generally necessary and punctuality is expected. Business cards are widely used.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Conferences & Conventions

South Africa has three major trade show, conference and exhibition venues: Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Convention Centre and the International Convention Centre in Durban. Smaller venues exist in the hotels and universities of other major towns. South African Tourism provides information for conference organisers and delegates: see the Business Tourism section of their website (www.southafrica.net).

Business Contacts

Department of Trade & Industry
77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Tel: 012 394 9500.
Website: www.dti.gov.za

South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI)
Chamber House, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Tel: 011 446 3800.
Website: www.sacci.org.za

Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)
PO Box 13116, Dowerglen 1612, South Africa
Tel: 011 805 7272.
Website: www.saaci.co.za
Going Out
|
Resorts & Excursions
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter
Advertisement
Spot the holiday killer - Protect yourself from malaria. Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.

Travel Deals for South Africa

Advertising features

  • Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by 

  • Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for 

  • Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world 

  • Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is 

  • Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for 

  • Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand 

Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement