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Welcome Remarks to the Media Conference on the Opening of South Africa’s Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010 on 6 May 2010 by Commissioner-General of South Africa’s Pavilion at Shanghai Expo and Consul-General of South Africa to Shanghai Mr. Vika Khumalo
Welcome
Ladies & Gentlemen, Media Friends, Your Excellency Ambassador NN Ntshinga, Ambassador Sisa Ngombane, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, Good Morning
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to Shanghai for the Opening of our South African Pavilion at Shanghai Expo. The Opening of Shanghai Expo comes at a particularly exciting time for our bilateral relationship and provides a tremendous opportunity to tell South Africa’s story and change perceptions.
Themes: Each month our Pavilion will focus on a difference theme and all visitors will be able to learn about South Africa’s story and what we offer. From arts and crafts with an on-going exhibition of changing exhibits called ‘Beautiful Things’ which showcases South African artisan traditions; to wine tastings of our famous New World wines; to FIFA promotions with special football games and our DISKI dancers – teaching you how to dance the special steps which every South African is learning before the World Cup as well as exploration of urban issues – showing how we have regenerated cities in South Africa through job creation and housing initiatives.
Benefits of the Pavilion: Therefore it is appropriate that the Pavilion will provide us with an opportunity to highlight specific investment opportunities for interested investors in some of South Africa’s pillar industries including agro-processing, beneficiated metals and mining, electro-technical as well as bio-fuels and alternative energy. For Chinese companies, South Africa offers a stable political and economic environment in which to invest and build a business on the African continent. We welcome enterprises of all sizes to visit our Pavilion at Shanghai Expo and learn more about the potential market awaiting them in South Africa.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Thank you.
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