Twenty-nine South African businesspeople have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the 8th Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) scheduled to take place in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi from today to 11 November 2017.

The objective of the ITI organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is to increase trade and deepen bilateral relations between South Africa and the DRC.  

In a briefing held to welcome the delegation, the Deputy Ambassador of South Africa to the DRC, Mr. Luvuyo Ndimeni emphasised that relationships between South African and Congolese businesses were key in advancing trade relations between the two countries.

“The business community in the DRC is always keen to do business with South Africans and has over the years shown interest in collaborating and working in different sectors that can benefit both countries’ economies. The contribution of business is needed to fast track the infrastructure development in the continent,” said Ndimeni.

He added that he was pleased with the calibre of businesses that arrived in the DRC saying he believed they would showcase South Africa’s capability considering diversity of sectors represented by different companies.  

­Companies participating in the ITI operate in the agro-processing, built environment, mining, capital equipment, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment sectors. The programme will include business seminars, roundtable discussions, site visits and business-to-business meetings.