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Jaymi Wooldridge Trade & Investment Adviser. UK Trade & Investment South Africa. UK/South Africa. Open for Business The UK and South Africa are natural trading partners, with English the main business language and similar legal systems and business cultures.
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Jaymi Wooldridge Trade & Investment Adviser UK Trade & Investment South Africa
UK/South Africa Open for Business • The UK and South Africa are natural trading partners, with English the main business language and similar legal systems and business cultures. • South Africa represents 3% of the surface area of the African continent yet it accounts for more than 40% of the continent’s total industrial output and 25% of Africa’s GDP. • Well developed financial & legal services – JSE ranked amongst the global top 20 • Modern infrastructure with excellent telecommunications & transport system. • Gautrain - The £2.6bn Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project that links Sandton business centre and JNB – now complete and was officially launched for operation 8 June time for the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Next phase to be extended to Pretoria. • Despite fears for security – very successful (22 Sept one million passengers have travelled on the train)
A new focus for South Africa President Zuma’s state visit to the UK • Doubling of trade & investment between UK/SA • Other UK/SA VIP visits to enforce commitment Sectors for future focus • Infrastructure & Engineering • Higher Education & Skills • Energy • Natural Resources (e.g. Health & Safety, natural resources) • ICT • Financial & Business Services • Healthcare
South Africa Challenges • Crime • Severe skills capacity shortages • bbBEE (Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment)
The Security sector in South Africa Homeland Security • The South African Police Service (SAPS) are fighting a battle, not only to tackle crime, but to recruit and retain officers and curb endemic corruption. • SA has porous borders and enhanced security to stop illegal immigration is high on the government’s agenda. • 100 official crimes reported during WC tournament. The WC provided SAPS with a windfall of equipment & training. Billions of Rands were spent on helicopters, vehicles, public order equipment, IT & Training. £4.6m procured from the HOSDB show in March 2010 from UK companies.
The Security sector in South Africa Homeland Security • SA one of the largest private security sectors in the world – many ex pat UK nationals either heading or holding senior positions within prominent private security companies in SA • Over 5000 registered private security companies employing over 350,000 guards; annual turnover R50bn a year. • CCTV technology overage in major cites is poor –on wish list to upgrade. UK too expensive. • New niche integrated security systems; bearing in mind the market is already very sophisticated. • SA has porous borders and enhanced security to stop illegal immigration is high on the government’s agenda.
The Fire Safety Sector in South Africa • The industry is extremely diverse; from the servicing of portable fire extinguishers; installation of computer-based laser fire detection systems; supply of fire extinguishing agents; manufacture of fire engines; to installation of sprinkler and deluge water systems. • Dominated by four large companies: Chubb, Centa Holding, Intasafe Corporation and Safequip. However, there are many small independent enterprises with limited geographical coverage. • There are various institutes, associations and interest groups including: • The Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa (FPASA); • South African Flameproof Association (SAFA); Fire Detection Installers Association (FDIA); • Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and South African Emergency Service Institution (SAESI) that individually look after certain aspects of the fire industry.