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President Cyril Ramaphosa has returned from a three-nation working visit to Southeast Asia, describing the mission as a success. The trip, which covered Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia, aimed to deepen economic ties, promote South-South cooperation, and attract new investments to South Africa.
What Happened
During the visit, President Ramaphosa focused on diversifying South Africa’s trade and investment partnerships in response to global economic instability.
“In the midst of global economic uncertainty, it has become more important than ever for South Africa to diversify its trade and investment relations,” he said in his weekly newsletter.
Talks with the three nations covered agricultural exports, such as beef, soybeans, and fruit, and identified ways to remove regulatory barriers limiting market access.
The President also discussed expanding trade in the mining and advanced manufacturing sectors, noting that countries like Malaysia and Vietnam lead in semiconductors, electric vehicles, and battery technology.
“South Africa, with its substantial reserves of critical minerals, is well placed to supply the products these industries need,” he said. “We want to add value to our minerals before exporting them.”
Official Response
Ramaphosa said several companies expressed interest in investing in South Africa during the tour.
“A number of companies told us about their plans to build new manufacturing plants in South Africa,” he explained. “They want to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to serve regional and continental markets.”
He stressed that South Africa’s infrastructure, independent judiciary, and financial systems make it an attractive destination for investors.
Beyond trade, the visit reinforced shared values between South Africa and the region. “We are all firm advocates of multilateralism, international law, and cooperation among countries of the Global South,” Ramaphosa said.
At the 47th ASEAN Summit, attended at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Ramaphosa noted that the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
Community Impact
The President also noted on the historical and cultural ties connecting South Africa with Indonesia and Malaysia, whose people contributed to the Cape Malay community.
“As we recognise these strong historical ties, these visits have been firmly focused on the future,” Ramaphosa said. “There is enormous potential for greater trade and investment between South Africa and these countries.”
He concluded by saying that South Africa and Southeast Asia share a determination to build a future of inclusive development and shared prosperity.
