A seminar on Expanding Horizons: Trade and Investment Opportunities between South Africa and India was held on the 20th September 2017 at the UKZN Westville Campus.

The event was organised by the Consulate General of India, Durban together with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation and ABSA Bank. The esteemed audience of about 240 people included representatives from different sectors of industry and academia. The aim of the event was to stimulate discussions regarding trade opportunities between India and South Africa. 

The presenters were: Prof Anesh Singh â€" UKZN Foundation Executive Director; Her Excellency Ms Ruchira Kamboj â€" High Commissioner of India to South Africa; Dr Shashank Vikram â€" Consul General of India, Durban; Mr Zamo Gwala â€" CEO Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal; Ms Nazrana Jassat â€" SA Representative for the Confederation of Indian Industry; Mr Rajiv Singh â€" Regional Executive of Customer Network â€" ABSA.

 Prof Anesh Singh said that he aimed to raise the profile of the UKZN Foundation through greater involvement with the business sector by participating in functions such as this. Her Excellency Ms Ruchira Kamboj stressed that ‘new’ India will celebrate 75 years of independence in 2022 and was currently emerging as a strong and prosperous BRICS country. India has a young and skilled population with an average age of 27 and is one of the world’s fastest growing countries with moderate inflation levels.   Currently, investment in power, roads, rail, ports, airports and digitisation is taking place under the Connect India programme, which will modernise the transport and communication sector.  India’s technological advances are apparent in its aviation sector, which is the world’s largest and includes the first solar powered airport. Other innovative plans include the development of 100 smart cities, which are citizen friendly and economically viable that will transform the lives and living conditions of the citizens of the country.

 Many of these developments have provided much opportunity for foreign direct investment (FDI). Dr Shashank Vikram commented, “there is currently 100% FDI in 92% of the economic sectors”. Ms Nazrana Jassat emphasized the shared history that South Africa and India have had in the past, as well as the relationships that have developed over the years. These provide the basis for a shared future where many opportunities for collaboration exist to promote long term inclusive growth in companies in both countries. Jassat said that it was necessary to think about the next 50 years and explore these opportunities. Ms Ruchira Kamboj concluded that to maximise the potential that exists between the two countries it is important to address factors such as direct airlinks as well as visa and works permits, which require resolution. The panel discussion facilitated by UKZN and its partners highlights the numerous possibilities that the relationship with SA and India hold for cultural, economic and academic exchange between the two countries.