Country Information

• GDP: US$489 billion (2009).
• Main imports: Machinery, plastic products, chemicals, vehicles and food.
• Main exports: Mineral raw materials (gold, diamonds, platinum), agricultural produce, chemical products and machinery.
• Main trade partners: Germany, UK, USA, Japan and China.

The South African economy dominates Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture is strong enough for virtual self-sufficiency in foodstuffs: livestock is reared extensively, and large amounts of sugar, maize and cereals are produced. Wine and fruit are exported in large quantities.

The industrial sector has traditionally been based on mining as one of the world's largest exporters of gold, platinum and diamonds. It also has considerable deposits of coal, chromium, manganese and vanadium.

After decades of double-digit inflation, the period from 2004 to the onset of the global financial downturn was marked by healthy growth and inflation of under 5%. That rose in the last two years as reduced interest rates encouraged greater consumer spending and a construction boom, partly in preparation for the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup. Inflation was capped again to 5.70 percent in 2010.

Unemployment is falling, but probably remains higher than official estimates of about 21%. Other long-term problems include poverty, a high level of HIV/AIDS infection and an inadequate infrastructure for public transport, and electricity grid and telecommunication networks.

The country still has a legacy two-tiered economy; one rivalling developed countries and a more basic informal sector, leading to an uneven distribution of wealth and income. South Africa is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

Suits are usually worn for meetings. Appointments are generally necessary and punctuality is expected. Business cards are widely used.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Department of Trade & Industry
77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Tel: (012) 394 9500.
Website: www.dti.gov.za

South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI)
Chamber House, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Tel: (011) 446 3800.
Website: www.sacci.org.za

South Africa has three major trade show, conference and exhibition venues: Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Convention Centre, and the International Convention Centre in Durban. Smaller venues exist in the hotels and universities of other major towns. South African Tourism provides information for conference organisers and delegates; see the Business Tourism section of www.southafrica.net.