'India, S.Africa women SME entrepreneurs should join hands'

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Namrata Kath Hazarika | 23 Aug, 2012
Indian and South African women entrepreneurs should seek partnership across various areas, particularly in the micro, small and medium enterprise segment, said the South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"As for joint ventures between women of both countries, we encourage them in all sectors but certain areas like crafts and jewellery making have been identified as especially favourable for women entrepreneurs," said South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Both the sides should give impetus to women development and empowerment, she added.

Thabethe is on a ten-day visit to India where she is expected to go to states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra to meet with a number of women organisations who have excelled in the field of women development.

She also said, "I find the success story of women self-help groups and Small, Micro, Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) development to be a great achievement by the Indian sub-continent."

"SMMEs back home, we believe, India has a good system that can support SMMEs. So, we are going to learn from India," the South African Deputy Minister told SME Times.

The visit will actually study India's success in small business development, she added.

At the moment both the sides is collaborating in number of areas to boost trade ties. Mainly areas such as furniture, mining, gems and jewellery, crafts and agro-processing, Thabethe also mentioned.

Further on the investment part, Thabethe said that South Africa is keen for Indian investment in the country and added, "We encourage Indian companies to come to our country, invest and set up operations. We believe in a balanced type of relationship so that it can be a win-win situation for both
the countries."

Indian companies that are investing in South Africa include Mahindra, Tata, UB Group, a number of pharmaceutical companies like Ranbaxy and CIPLA, IT companies and some investments in the mining sector.

"Several South African companies operate in India, such as the Airports Company South Africa, which is assisting India's Mumbai airport, and Sasol, which is planning to invest," the minister said.

South African investments in India are led by SAB Miller (breweries), SANLAM and Old Mutual (insurance), ALTECH (set-top boxes), Adcock Ingram (pharmaceuticals), Rand Merchant Bank (banking).

The bilateral trade between India and South Africa has touched over USD 11 billion mark in 2010-11 and is expected to reach USD 15 billion by 2015.