Pretoria in 'dire need' of investment

TICK off what South Africa needs in the way of new business, and you find a comprehensive list of precisely what Hong Kong has to offer.

Electronics, toys, bicycles, shoes, sportswear . . . these are all manufacturing industries Pretoria is trying to encourage by offering incentives to Hong Kong companies.

South Africa makes none of these products and imports them all.

''There's a dire need for investment,'' says South African Consul-General Michael Farr.

And, in the service industries, there is also vast room for investment opportunities.

''These are all the areas in which you excel.'' He says his government offers ''great encouragement'' to those who wish to establish factories making items South Africa now has to import.