South Africa and India Must Collaborate to Unlock Trade Potential, Says Envoy Sooklal

Prof. Anil Sooklal, the designated South African High Commissioner to India, has called for Indian and South African businesses to collaborate more closely. Speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian Consulate and the India Business Forum, Sooklal emphasised the need for cooperation to maximise trade opportunities between the two nations.

Sooklal highlighted that businesses in both countries often work in isolation. "One of the things I have discovered in meetings here is that you work in silos. When I speak to each one of you, I see so many complementarities in terms of what you are doing, but you are not sharing information and opportunities between yourselves; let alone between South African and Indian businesses," he said.

Need for Inclusive Structures

He stressed the importance of creating inclusive structures that cater to both South African and Indian businesses. "High Commissioner Kumar cannot focus only on the Indian sector here. I cannot go to Delhi and focus on South African businesses only. It must be both – to nurture and promote South African and Indian business equally. We have to be inclusive. We have to also share knowledge," Sooklal stated.

Sooklal pointed out that the India-South Africa relationship lacks the profile it deserves due to limited awareness about Indian companies' activities in South Africa. He cited Vedanta's operations as an example, noting that 99% of their 6,500 employees are South Africans.

Corporate Social Investment

The diplomat also mentioned the significant corporate social investment by Indian companies in South Africa. "Tata’s three entities here – in the IT, automotive and mining sectors – informed me that 60 per cent of the revenues generated go back to the community. Now that is substantial. There are so many of the other Indian companies represented here that are so deeply invested in corporate social investment in South Africa; working with our underdeveloped communities in many ways," Sooklal said.

He praised the Indian market as one of the most dynamic globally. "The IMF predicts growth of 3.2 per cent this year globally. India is expected to grow around seven per cent plus. The rest of the world is converging on India and looking at the opportunities. It’s a massive market with the largest population in the world," he remarked.

Addressing Trade Imbalance

Sooklal urged industry leaders from both countries to reassess their relationship. "We can’t be crying about trade imbalance if we are not addressing it first and foremost," he said. He also mentioned plans for an event in Delhi in December to celebrate 30 years of renewed relations between India and South Africa.

High Commissioner Prabhat Kumar agreed with Sooklal's observations, noting that there is insufficient awareness among South African businesses about developments in India. "South Africa is looking towards India but slowly. We have to increase the pace both from your side and our side," Kumar said.

Sooklal concluded by expressing his desire to create a platform that supports all South African and Indian businesses collectively. "We want to work with all of you to ensure we create a platform to cater for all South African and Indian businesses and we can only do that as a collective to make inroads into this vibrant market that is India today," he stated.