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The Premier of the Western Cape, Gerald Morkel, will address the South African Business Forum in Hong Kong when he visits the region next week. Mr Morkel has been invited by the group of South African business people in Hong Kong to explain the Western Cape's economical focus points to them on Friday (10 August 2001).

The purpose of the Premier's visit is to strengthen trade relations between the Western Cape and Hong Kong, and to bolster the Western Cape's image as the ideal investment destination. Last year Western Cape exports to Hong Kong, which mainly consisted of food products like fish, amounted to R347 million. Over the last five years Hong Kong was always between the 10th and 12th most important trade partner of the Western Cape. Together with Japan, this region constitutes the two Asian regions carrying the most Western Cape products on its shelves. In its turn the Western Cape last year imported goods, mainly electronic equipment, worth R440 million from Hong Kong. Imports from Hong Kong to the Western Cape have grown to 46% over the last four years.

The Premier will be accompanied on his trip by Mr Mike Thompson, chairperson of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Western Cape marketing body Wesgro, Mr Gerald Wolman, chairperson of the Chamber's international trade committee, and other prominent business people.

The Premier's programme includes discussions with business people of Hong Kong who already have interests in the Western Cape, in order to strengthen and expand these interests, as well as a courtesy call to Sir Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for the Hong Kong Administration.

Contact: Riana Geldenhuys Tel. (021) 483 4705/6 or (082) 376 4709

Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape

3 August 2001