India and South Africa today reiterated commitment towards deepening trade and commercial relations between the two leading emerging economies.

“We look forward to welcoming more Indian investors into our country, and to work with you to ensure a productive and profitable experience for the companies that invest and trade in South Africa,” said visiting deputy minister of trade and industry Elizabeth Thabethe at an interactive business meet organized by apex chamber ASSOCHAM.

India exports goods worth 2.06 billion dollars to South Africa in 2009-10 while the imports totaled 5.77 billion dollars. The exports comprised of mineral and chemical products, machinery, vehicles and aircraft, base metals and articles of base metals while the imports included rock phosphates, precious stones, minerals, fertilizers, steel, coal, transport equipment, pulp and pulp manufacturing.

Indian companies are currently executing projects worth over three billion dollars in South Africa. Cumulative Indian investments in South Africa are over six billion dollars -- mainly in automobiles, information technology, hospitality, ferrochrome plants, breweries, pharmaceuticals and mining. South Africa’s mining assets are estimated at 2.5 trillion dollars