By Keletso Mkhwanazi.
Small businesses are hailing the cooperation agreement signed between South Africa and Chile as a major breakthrough in accessing new markets and increasing trade.
“This agreement is a game-changer for us; we have been looking to expand our market reach, and this agreement will make it easier for us to export our products to Chile,” said Nomsa Mxakato, who owns Afrocentric Designs, a textile and clothing manufacturing business in Johannesburg.
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Tumi Mokwane, who owns Phetogo Poultry Farm in Kameeldrift outside Pretoria, agreed.
“As a small-scale farmer, I struggle to access markets beyond our borders. This agreement will make it easier for me to export my produce to Chile, increasing my revenue and creating jobs for my community,” she told Vutivi News.
“We are pleased to see that the agreement includes a focus on SMEs and women-led enterprises. As a woman-owned business, we face unique challenges in accessing markets and finance.”
She said the deal would help to address these challenges and promote the growth of women-led enterprises.
Sibusiso Ngwenya, who owns a small technology firm, Skynet Worldwide in Cape Town, also welcomed the agreement.
“As a tech start-up, we are always looking for new markets and opportunities to grow our business. This agreement will make it easier for us to access the Chilean market and compete with other tech firms in the region.”
The cooperation agreement, signed in Pretoria at the end of February, focuses on several key areas, including trade and industry promotion, value chains, decarbonisation and critical minerals, as well as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises run by women.
It was signed at the 8th meeting of the Joint Trade and Investment Commission between South Africa and Chile.
The commission was led by Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi and Chilean Vice Minister of Trade, Claudia Sanhueza Riveros.
“We are excited about the opportunities presented by this agreement. South Africa and Chile have a long history of cooperation, and this agreement will help to strengthen our bilateral trade and investment relations,” said Godlimpi.
He added that the agreement would also help to promote economic growth and development in both countries.
“We are committed to working with our Chilean counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of this agreement and to promote the interests of South African businesses,” the deputy minister said.
