Govt urges firms to work in South Africa

• Increase image
• View all images

The Government has today urged British construction firms to make a move on the South African market, with the fast-growing nation boasting infrastructure plans worth some £33 billion.

In a report released by UK Trade & Investment, the Government called on companies to take advantage of the multi-billion-pound project opportunities to "gain a foothold in sub-Saharan Africa".

In recent Government research, South Africa was ranked as number eight in the top ten list of "new wave" markets.

UK Trade & Investment chief executive officer Andrew Cahn said: "South Africa is a fast-growth economy with infrastructure plans to match. With investment opportunities in both private and public sectors, coupled with a severe skills shortage, now is the time for UK companies to take advantage of the construction boom."

The country's spending plan is likely to accelerate the annual growth of the economy by between 4.5 per cent and 6 per cent, with a series of transport, prison and hospital schemes proposed.

Mr Cahn added: "This investment, and events like the 2010 Football World Cup, are acting as a catalyst for growth in the private construction sector. Opportunities include hotel and residential development as well as urban regeneration projects.

"By establishing a business in South Africa, UK companies can gain a foothold in sub-Saharan Africa."

Several UK companies are already actively involved in major infrastructure projects for South Africa, including Bombardier Transportation UK - which is providing the new train fleet for the Gautrain project - and Mott MacDonald, which is involved in Transnet's rail and port expansion programme.

UK Trade & Investment said its presence in South Africa was stronger than ever. The Government department has 34 staff based in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.