Singapore and Southern Africa - 
Trade, Tourism and Investment Opportunities

 

27 March 2003

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In association with

The South African High Commission in Singapore

 SASBA

south Africa Singapore business association

  

Conference Summation

The Trade, Tourism and Investment Seminar, the biggest and most comprehensive Singapore/Southern Africa Trade Seminar, was a joint project of the South Africa High Commission, Omega Investment Research in Cape Town and the South Africa-Singapore Business Association (SASBA), took place on 27 March 2003.  The success of the project can be deducted from various factors.  The opening session was addressed by the permanent Secretary (Director-General) for Trade and Industry; the Vice-President of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) attended a large part of the opening session; and 126 delegates from a wide range of industries attended.  

This is unusual in Singapore. Important delegates such as the Port Authority of Singapore (PSA), Enterprise International Singapore (EIS) and the Construction Development Board of Singapore (CDB) stayed the entire day.  Immediate success that holds tangible trade promise is that two significant requests for information about important industries were received on topics that have been identified by Mission as having potential but about which there was no interest before, i.e.. nuclear medicine and cancer research.  The long-term success of this enterprise in unquantifiable, but the potential for meaningful business connections has been exploited.

In his foreword to the Seminar, the High Commissioner said that trade between South African and Singapore had remained stable, despite the 1997 Asian financial crises and recent world-wide economic upheavals.  Crucially also, all African leaders had committed themselves to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), which was the socio-economic development arm of the recently formed African Union.

Some comments made by delegates:

  • "Personally, I was ignorant of opportunities in Africa. The event was a tremendous eye-opener to the potential of the region" - Dr R.A. Turrai Raaj

  • "Mixture of Trade & Financial Institutions & Networking was one of the strongest parts of the conference. Gained knowledge with Africa especially with the strong back-up by South Africa Embassy - A reputiated body. You guys have done a good job - keep it up!" - Tan Choong Hiang

  • "Well organised. Good focus on financial side." - Douglas Morgan

  • "A broad-cross section of business perspectives being presented." - Edwin Chan

Far left: William Balet, Senior Advisor, Southern African Power  Pool

Second from right: Brian Shegar, Vice Chairman, 
South Africa Singapore Business Association with
delegates at the wine reception

Second from left: High Commissioner Fanus Schoeman, South African High Commission to Singapore

Far right: Betsie Smith, Deputy High Commissioner, South African High Commission to Singapore with delegates

Far left: Ravinder Sandhu, Omega Investment Research

Second from left: Diana Lu, Account Services Executive, International SOS with delegates

Dr Anita Worrall, Omega Investment Research,

David Meadows, General Manager, ABSA Bank Singapore,

Marlene Hesketh, Head Business Development, Rand Merchant Bank,

Dr Denis Worrall, Chairman, Omega Investment Research

 
Sponsors

Special thanks to the South Africa Singapore Business Association  for their contribution towards the luncheon and to South Africa High Commission to Singapore  for their contribution towards the wine reception.  

 

 

 

Official Airline Carrier

 Official Hotelier

     

Presentations delivered by the following organisations:

 

Teh Kwee Hong, Snr Regional Manager, International Business Division, PSA Corporation Limited

  • Case Study of Transshipment hubs in Singapore and Dubai
    PSA Corporation Ltd

  • A General Overview: African Success Stories
    Rand Merchant Bank

  • Services
    International SOS

  • Tourism
    Voyage Afrique

  • Special Projects
    The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

  • Zimbabwe - IT, Telecommunication and Electronics
    Southern African Power Pool

  • South African Industrial Developments
    East London Industrial Development Zone

  • Southern Africa
    First National Bank

  • Funding and Facilitation
    International Enterprise Singapore
    and The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

To receive any of the above presentations, please contact liezelc@omegainvest.co.za 

 

Kasey Khaw, Regional General Manager, Asia Region, International SOS

 

David Meadows, General Manager, ABSA Bank, Singapore

 

Heng Swee Keat, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore

 

Copyright © Omega Investment Research (Pty) Ltd, 2003