Johannesburg: Mtho Zulu, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said economic relations between the UAE and South Africa are experiencing strong momentum and sustained growth, driven by the shared commitment of both governments and business communities to strengthen cooperation and translate their strategic partnership into tangible projects, investments and economic opportunities.
In statements made to Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the Dubai-South Africa Business Forum organized by Dubai Chambers in Johannesburg, Zulu said the UAE, and Dubai in particular, has become a global economic hub and a major gateway connecting African markets to the Middle East, Asia and the wider world, making it an important strategic partner for South African companies seeking international expansion.
He added, “We see Dubai as one of the world's most important trade and investment gateways. It not only serves the Gulf region, but also provides African companies with access to broader global markets. At the same time, South Africa provides an important platform for Emirati investors to access the growing investment opportunities on the African continent.”
Zulu revealed South Africa's aspiration to host the Dubai Business Forum organized by Dubai Chambers to showcase the opportunities created by the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), describing it as a historic step that reflects the depth of the growing relationship between the two sides.
He said, “We look forward to South Africa hosting the Dubai Business Forum for the first time on the African continent in the coming years. This will send a clear message about the strategic importance of UAE-South Africa relations and the significant opportunities that will emerge from this cooperation.”
Discussing trade relations, Zulu said non-oil trade between Dubai and South Africa is expected to reach about US$8 billion in 2025.
He said an important milestone in bilateral economic relations was achieved last year when the South African Minister of Trade and Industry led a high-level economic delegation to the UAE.
“We held productive meetings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi aimed at expanding economic and investment cooperation and opening new channels of communication between the private sectors of the two countries,” he said.
One of the key outcomes of that visit was an agreement to strengthen the role of chambers of commerce and economic institutions in leading direct cooperation between companies and business leaders, he said, adding that the Dubai-South Africa Business Forum is a practical expression of that objective.
Zulu stressed that the true importance of relations between countries lies in their translation into trade partnerships, investments and trade flows.
“The collaboration between Dubai Chambers and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents a practical model for translating government understanding into real economic opportunities that create added value for both parties,” he said.
Regarding promising areas for cooperation, Zulu highlighted the service economy as one of the most important sectors on which both countries can build, particularly in tourism, professional services, financial services and technology.
He said, “The UAE has achieved extraordinary global success in tourism and services, while South Africa also has significant strengths in this sector. We therefore see vast opportunities to exchange expertise, develop joint projects and enhance tourism and investment flows between our countries.”
He identified manufacturing as a key priority for South Africa in the coming phase, amid government efforts to strengthen the industrial base and increase value-added contribution to the national economy.
He added, “We want to expand our manufacturing capabilities across various industries, and we see ample opportunities for partnerships with Emirati companies in advanced manufacturing, processing industries, consumer products and other value-added sectors.”
Zulu further pointed to major investment opportunities in infrastructure and mining, noting that South Africa has abundant natural resources and advanced expertise in mining, as well as promising infrastructure projects that require international participation, financing and investment.
He stressed that UAE-South Africa relations go beyond bilateral cooperation to include coordination in multiple international economic forums, which strengthens the partnership and opens up new prospects for future cooperation.
“We are extremely optimistic about the future of our relations with the UAE. What we saw during the Dubai-South Africa Business Forum was not just economic dialogue, but the building of a long-term strategic partnership based on trust, shared interests and a mutual desire for growth and prosperity. We look forward to seeing greater investment and partnership between our companies, which will benefit both economies and peoples.”