CHINA- Premier, Mandla Ndlovu has signed a five-year Memorandum Of Understanding with Longan Municipality.
Ndlovu is leading a delegation comprised of the MEC for Agriculture, Nompumelelo Hlophe, Director General, Maggie Skhosana Head of Department for Agriculture, Cain Chunda and other senior government officials.
The MOU with Longnan Municipality’s main focus is on industrial collaboration, agricultural cooperation, infrastructure development, cultural and tourism, talent identification and development exchange amongst others.
This collaboration is in line with the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Summit and the bilateral deliberations between the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China held in Beijing in September.
Among the agreements is the bilateral trade and market access which seeks to expand and diversify trade between the two countries, including the facilitation of market access for South African agricultural products into China, the reduction of non-tariff barriers, and the promotion of agri-processing and logistics collaboration.
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“As Mpumalanga we are responding to the vision of our President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa when he signed this agreement, in that, through the MOU we entered into, we are defining a series of action plans and interventions to bring to life the accelerated access of trade to and from Mpumalanga and Longnan Municipality.
“This will be realised through the operationalization of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market which will benefit, among others our famers from previously disadvantaged communities and our people,” said Premier Ndlovu.
The visit will further focus on other economic activities that will help improve the economy of the province and reduce the unemployment rate.
Longnan City Executive Vice Mayor, Li Rong said with the MOU signed, they hope this will set a new example for the in-depth and solid development of bilateral cooperation.
“The relationship between China and South Africa is not just a win-win situation, but one of complementary advantages to create shared value together. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of a “family + partner” relationship between the two sides,” said Li Rong.
