Document: South Africa Investor’s Handbook 2010

The publication aims to highlight the wealth of investment opportunities and diversity of economic sectors from which investors can derive long-term benefits. The Handbook offers investors a broad overview of the social, cultural, environmental and regulatory environment in which they can expect to operate when doing business in South Africa. It also provides the reader with detailed information about the country’s progressive trade and investment policies. These and other government initiatives have been designed to enable investors to engage in fair, equitable global trade across all sectors of the South African economy.

 

The Handbook illustrates how the costs of doing business in South Africa compare favourably to those in other emerging world markets. It provides the reader with a general introduction about the country, its location, people, economy and synopsis of the investment climate. The Handbook then focuses on the prospective benefits of investing in South Africa and the initiatives created by government to attract foreign direct investment, develop export markets for South African products and services and promote trade and investment on a global scale.

 

The Handbook examines the regulatory environment and government’s framework in terms of broadening participation and providing a competitive, equitable and socially responsible environment for investment, trade and enterprise. Information concerning Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation, foreign exchange controls, the registration of business entities and reporting requirements, intellectual property management, and import and export procedures, are included herein for ease of reference. The publication further consolidates important aspects about the most competitive economic sectors in South Africa, as well as the institutions that offer financial support to facilitate the exploration of investment opportunities in the country.

 

The Handbook provides practical guidelines on how government’s supportive measures have been put in place to aid prospective investors. Besides providing information about available incentive programmes, government has also established agencies to facilitate investment, assist investors in gaining access to incentives for investment, and render ongoing contact and problem-solving services after investment has taken place in the country.

 

The Handbook delves into these dynamic and specialised incentive programmes, which have been designed to unlock potential investment growth. The publication also details the objectives of the investment promotion agencies and their array of financial, administrative and other support structures available to prospective investors. In addition to focusing on the procedures to be undertaken when entering the country for investment purposes, the Handbook highlights the measures government has undertaken to expand market access opportunities and manage the skills, technology and infrastructure platforms from which they can derive long-term benefits.

 

It is our hope that this Handbook will serve as the single most comprehensive and authoritative source of information available for investors, exporters and businesses arriving at our shores. While all attempts have been made to provide up-to-date statistics and other current details, customised consultations and advisory support can be initiated via the dti’s offices.