Italian Trade Commission in South Africa
The Italian Trade Commission in South Africa is in operation to assist Italian companies to develop in South Africa. The Italian Trade Commission Office is located in Parklands, Johannesburg and operates from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm on Mondays to Thursdays and between 08:00 am to 01:30 pm on Fridays. If you are a South African concern interested in doing business with an Italian business or if you are an Italian business seeking to do business with a South African company, make contact with the Italian Trade Commission.
Italy has been ranked as South Africa's number 5 trading partner when considering the value of interchange, for example in 2001 there were ZAR6.7 billion exports to Italy and R8 billion imports. South African gold exports top Italy cover 50-60% of all exports especially in the jewelry industry. Many other goods are exported to Italy including fruit, iron, steel, copper, paper pulp, fish, meat, leather and wool. South Africa also imports several types of products from Italy such as electro-mechanical items, precision instruments, optical instruments, furniture, ceramics, jewelry, vehicles and clothing. Since the abolition of Apartheid and the institution of the new government in South Africa as of 1994 bilateral trade between South Africa and Italy has seen great growth.
In the year 1998 Italy was ranked as South Africa's 3rd biggest investor and continues in the top ten. The Italian government through the Italian Trade Commission encourages investment in South Africa. In 2002 special talks were held with local businesses to create bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Amongst the top Italian investors in the South Africa are Fiat, Agusta, Magneti Marelli, Mario Levi, Filk, Pirelli Cables & Systems, Agip Lubricants, SICAD and several others. To ensure good trade relations between Italy and South Africa a legal framework has been set in place. In 1999 the bilateral agreement for the protection and promotion of investments was established. 2000 saw the creation of the bilateral agreement in the transport field as well as the bilateral agreement in avoiding double taxation. The Italian Trade Commission in South Africa is certainly doing much to improve business relations between the two countries as well as promoting investment which benefits both companies economically.