India-South Africa trade at $11.15 billion in 2013-14

NEW DELHI: The bilateral trade between India and South Africa is estimated at $11.15 billion in 2013-14, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.

South African Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana today called on Singh and discussed about the trade prospects between the two countries.

Singh also requested Zokwana to increase the import of grapes, wheat, sugar and cotton from India which South Africa imports from the other countries of the world, according to an official statement.

Singh also informed Zokwana that bilateral trade between India and South Africa, estimated at $11.15 billion in financial year 2013-14, was a remarkable development amidst economic turmoil and global recession especially in the European Union and United States, the statement added.

Emphasising on the India and Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Preferential Trade Agreement, the Indian Agriculture Minister said, "we together could secure our economic progress against fluctuations in the western countries by early finalisation of the SACU preferential trade agreement.

Both the Ministers express satisfaction on formation of Joint Working Group (JWG) under the aegis of Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and South Africa on June 4, 2010 and successful organisation of its first meeting here in May last year.

During the meeting, Singh expressed hope that South Africa would facilitate successful implementation of the initiatives under India-Africa Forum Summit.

He also assured that India remains committed to working with Africa for achievement of its socio-economic development objectives through a process led by African countries, he said.