Strong growth tipped in South Africa trade

ASIAN-made consumer goods particularly clothing, electrical appliances, commercial hardware and software are in good demand in South Africa, says a South African freight company.

Renfreight chief executive Eddie Stead said an expo on South African products and services, coming up in Singapore in August and September, would serve to boost trade between South Africa and Southeast Asia.

''With relations improving steadily between South Africa and the industrialised countries of Asia the prospects for increasing bilateral trade are extremely bright,'' he said.

''Singapore is perfectly placed to capitalise on this as the regional nerve centre.'' Relations between Singapore and South Africa were normalised last year when Singapore ended economic sanctions against Pretoria and air links were resumed between the two countries.

Mr Stead said there were also opportunities for moving a host of South African exports to Asia, including gold and other minerals, precious stones, agricultural products, building materials, chemicals, machinery and wines and spirits.

He said Singapore's highly developed sea and air transportation links made it the ideal cargo hub for moving goods between the two regions.