From: Newsday.co.zw

By : Tarisai Tahungai, Business Reporter

27 March 2012

 A South African business delegation representing 46 companies is currently exploring and strengthening business and investment ties with Zimbabwe.

South African Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe said Zimbabwe was one of her country’s biggest trading partners contributing approximately R17,5 billion in bilateral trade in 2011.

She said last year alone South Africa imported R2,9 billion worth of goods from Zimbabwe but exported R14,5 billion to the country.

“South Africa mainly exported machinery, mineral fuels and vehicles to Zimbabwe, whereas we imported raw commodities such as ore, cotton and tobacco from Zimbabwe,” Thabethe said.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mike Bimha said South Africa had remained Zimbabwe’s single largest trading partner accounting for at least 40% of the total exports and 60% of imports.