German South African Business Relations
Germany is one of the most important trading partners of South Africa, ranking 2nd in total trading volume behind China and ahead of the USA. In 2010 goods worth over EUR 4.3 billion were exported to Germany. In the same period South Africa imported goods from Germany worth around EUR 6.8 billion. In addition to many large German enterprises there are numerous small and medium-sized enterprises among the approximately 600 German firms established in South Africa.
In addition to the Embassy, the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry serves as a representative of the German economy and German companies in South Africa.
Overview of the economic relations
Approximatly 600 German enterprises have established in South Africa and employ over 90,000 people. Among these are companies that utilize some of the most modern production facilities in the country. Also, many of the German companies engage in activites to further benefit the standard of living of their employees and their community.
German companies in South Africa
South Africa's automotive industry has approximately 36,000 employees and a GDP share of 7.3 percent, which makes it one of the country's major industries. Most of the large German vehicle manufacturers are represented in South Africa with their own production facilities in whose wake a broad local network of suppliers has emerged.
Automotive sector
Finweek, leading South African financial publication, focussed on the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in their March 11, 2010 issue. Featured is an interview with Ambassdor Haller where he discusses the strong political and economic partnership between Germany and South Africa.
Interview FINWEEK, March 2010
