The German-South African Binational Commission was hosted last week in Pretoria and it served to further entrench the strong trade and investment relations between the two countries.
The German Ambassador, Dieter Haller, said, “Germany is one of the most important trade partners and investors in South Africa. Our partnership in scientific research, with more than 100 bilateral projects in place, is exemplary and mutually beneficial. Germany also invests in South Africa’s social development and it is a partnership that aims to contribute to solving global issues.”
Corporate social responsibility is a significant part of the German business model, as is broad-based skills development and healthcare for the country’s workers. Making a difference in the community is part of that identity, added Haller.
Haller pointed to German car manufacturers and said that their production facilities in the country are also recovering, owing to an increase in production and car sales.
South Africa has been successful in exporting more value-added products to Germany, owing to its quality, reliability and design, he added.
