RAWALPINDI, October 30 The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Thursday hosted Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa, to explore new avenues of bilateral trade, investment and industrial collaboration between Pakistan and South Africa.RCCI President Usman Shaukat, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi and Vice President Fahad Barlas warmly received the distinguished guest at the Chamber. The meeting was also attended by members of the Executive Committee and a large number of RCCI members representing diverse sectors.
During the session, President Usman Shaukat briefed the envoy on RCCI’s initiatives to promote business connectivity, industrial growth, and export diversification. He expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in pharmaceuticals, energy, renewable energy, and tourism, while underlining the need for more frequent high-level exchanges between Pakistan and South Africa to enhance trade and technical collaboration.
He said South Africa is Pakistan’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for almost one-fourth of Pakistan’s total trade with the continent. Likewise, South Africa’s exports to Pakistan represent nearly 10 percent of its total exports to Asia, reflecting strong trade potential between the two countries.
Highlighting the Chamber’s role in connecting the business communities of both nations, Shaukat stressed the importance of skill development, investment facilitation, and sustainable partnerships to unlock untapped opportunities in emerging markets.
In his remarks, Acting High Commissioner Rudolph Pierre Jordaan underscored the historic and friendly relations between South Africa and Pakistan, dating back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1994. He outlined South Africa’s diverse economic landscape, emphasizing opportunities in renewable energy, mining technology, automotive manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, and pharmaceuticals.
He said South Africa, being Africa’s most industrialized economy, enjoys preferential access to major global markets through multiple trade agreements offering a strategic advantage for Pakistani investors seeking regional expansion.
Jordaan invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore joint ventures in green hydrogen, natural gas, critical minerals, and new energy vehicles (NEVs), highlighting these as key growth areas under South Africa’s national development agenda.
The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion on trade facilitation and potential business partnerships, followed by the exchange of mementos, symbolizing the Chamber’s commitment to deepening economic engagement between Pakistan and South Africa.
