Skills transfer is next step in SA - India relations

BILATERAL TRADE between India and South Africa is on an upward spiral, but relations between the two countries have moved beyond trade itself, and this is where future development exists, says Narayan Kumar, president of the Confederation of Indian Industry.
We are now focusing on technological co-operation, the transfer of skills, manufacturing and long-term partnerships, he says.
Kumar visited South Africa to attend the India Show at Midrand last week, where both he and India's Consul-General, Skand Tayal, expressed confidence that trade with South Africa would rise to 5% of India's foreign trade within the next year.
South Africa was expected to increase its export of fertilisers, steel, wool, diamond and coal to the Indian market of more than 300 million active consumers, said Tayal.
South Africa would also export its skills in areas such as generation of energy, the production of aluminium, coal mining, the liquefaction of coal and construction expertise in such areas as the building of tunnels and bridges.
At the same time, said Tayal, textiles, garments, pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs are expected to continue as the key Indian exports to this country.