Business told to exploit China trade

BUSINESSES have been urged by parliament’s portfolio committee on international relations and cooperation to exploit the available opportunities presented by trade between China and Africa.

The committee concurred with President Jacob Zuma’s view that China’s relations with Africa should be crafted in such a manner so as to benefit ordinary people, committee chairman Siphosezwe Masango said. “This investment should be felt by the people through small business enterprises‚ particularly in areas of infrastructure development and manufacturing,” Masango said.

“Bilateral and multilateral agreements should speak to the development of our country‚ region and continent, and result in job creation. “The committee welcomes China’s commitment that it will not seek to be big brother but an equal partner‚ and that it is still committed to the Brics Development Bank.” Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which ended with assurances that China would increase trade with Africa.