AfCFTA shipment highlights need to fix ports and rail
President presides over first shipment
SOUTH AFRICA: Officiating over South Africa’s first shipment and preferential trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) this week at the Port of Durban, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the need to “fix Transnet’s rail and port operations”.
“That is why, as the South African government, we are focused on implementing our Freight Logistics Roadmap to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the country’s rail lines and ports,” he told dignitaries as he highlighted the need for greater investment in infrastructure.
resident Cyril Ramaphosa was be joined by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube; AfCFTA Secretary General, Wamkele Mene; among dignitaries that included the AfCFTA Council of Ministers in witnessing the first shipment of Proudly South Africa products exported to the continent.
The successful implementation of the AfCFTA is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productive capacity, acceleration of growth, increased investment, increased employment opportunities and incomes and most importantly broaden economic inclusion both in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
It provides South African exporters with new market access opportunities to key markets in the African Continent and can unlock growth.
PHOTO SOURCE: The Presidency of South Africa FaceBook page
266