G20 members commit to Limpopo trade and investment

The G20 representatives have pledged to support Limpopo Province’s Trade and Investment. During the breakfast meeting that was held on 8 March at a newly built Premier Hotel in Thohoyandou, diplomats’ delegates from China, Indonesia, Nigeria and Japan used the breakfast session to engage with the provincial government, on how best they can invest in Limpopo province while enjoying the Limpopo’s hospitality over a cup of tea.

Breakfast was one of the activities that was used to engage investors using more intimate moments during a cup of tea brewed from the province. The breakfast meeting was held just a day after the groundbreaking historic moment of Limpopo being the first province to host the G20 Outreach Programme at the University of Venda.

During her engagement with diplomatic corps and business community that was, preceded by an evening of networking session at Kalahari waterfront which is one of the biggest tourism attraction in the Vhembe district, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba continued to reassure the G20 members that Limpopo is a province of opportunities driven by tourism, agriculture and mining.

“ Limpopo remains the breadbasket of South African producing a significant portion of the country’s fresh produce including citrus, avocados and macadamia nuts. We seek partnership that will drive agro-processing, value addition and sustainable farming practices ensuring that our agricultural sector remains a pillar of economic resilience”.

Japan has already started to invest in South Africa with platinum renewable energy production, working together with Eskom for sustainable energy to assist with load reduction. Limpopo citrus and avocados are very popular in Japan demonstrating the continuous trade relationship between the province and the Republic of Japan.

About 8% of fruits and nuts are imported from South Africa to Singapore making it one of the largest trade partners.

In 2023, China launched its solar project in Limpopo through the University of Venda and more than 200 South African students were enrolled in China study programme to learn Chinese culture and language.

Recently, the Limpopo office of The Premier held Research Forum in February, where China had representative and committed to promoting current technology. The Chinese’ s ambassador had shared with delegates during the breakfast meeting that, there is a planned visit to university of Venda and Polokwane Municipality before the end of March 2025 for further consultation and engagements for sustainable trade and investment. EC