South Africa has a long-term trade relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and regards it as an important strategic market in the Middle East for technology and desalination, as well as trade and cooperation in South African goods and services.

Before the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce will host the "Joint Business Hybrid/Webinar" on September 17, 2021, Arab News interviewed Imran Simmins, First Secretary of the South African Embassy in Riyadh. ), he said, the current bilateral trade is still dominated by crude oil and its by-products. Representatives of enterprises in the fields of agriculture, food and entertainment, industry, healthcare, technology, tourism, national defense and mining believe that there is great potential for cooperation between the two countries and will use this event to jointly explore bilateral growth opportunities.

"Commodities from South Africa are mainly agricultural products and live animals. Based on the 2030 Vision and the 2030 NDP, we focus on industrialization and envision a future dominated by trade in manufactured goods." Simmins said. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, both countries pledged to use technology to improve their economies. He said that the epidemic has forced technology to play a more central role in general life, as well as the way specific economic activities are carried out. "This is a major area of future cooperation between the two countries." Simmins added.

Simmins added: South Africa is getting drier, and each drought is more severe and widespread than the previous one. This country is beginning to look beyond the rain as a livelihood. Saudi desalination expertise is absolutely crucial. Both countries want to build a diversified economy that does not rely on the export of raw natural resources. This is a key part of the two countries’ development plans: South Africa’s National Development Plan and Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision. Although both countries have coal (South Africa) and crude oil (from the Kingdom), both countries are committed to cleaner forms of energy.

In 2018, King Salman announced an investment of US$10 billion in the South African economy. Aramco and the South African Department of Energy are currently discussing the possibility of building an oil refinery and petrochemical plant in Richards Bay on the country’s northeast coast. The refinery will serve the entire southern African region.

Keywords: overseas engineering, international engineering construction, foreign engineering construction news

Before oil and natural resources no longer dominate trade between South Africa and the Kingdom, trade in technology, goods and services will require all assistance from bilateral trade activities.Editor/XuNing