Top SA delegation to visit Sri Lanka

A top South African business delegation will be arriving in Colombo next week.

The delegation consists of no less than 30 leading business members of the Progressive Business Forum of African National Congress (ANC-PBF), the ruling ANC's influential business collective.

The delegation will be in Sri Lanka during September 5 to 8. The PBF consists of many business leaders from top South African industry and business sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, logistics, automotive, minerals and diamonds, chemicals, finance and outsourcing.

PBF is one of the first stops of any international business delegation visiting South Africa.

"I have no doubts that this visit will help further strengthen current trade levels of $ 65 million" said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce on August 28 .

According to the Department of Commerce, South Africa has become the most important trading partner for Sri Lanka in the Southern African region. In 2011, bilateral trade between both countries topped $ 65.49 million.

The balance of trade between Sri Lanka and South Africa is reported in favor of South Africa except in 2007 and 2010.