MIAMI – Two high level South African delegations are coming to Miami-Dade during the next two weeks. Both are coming at the invitation of The Jay Malina International Trade Consortium as a direct result of its trade mission to South Africa last year.
South Africa’s political and business leaders are keenly interested in growing trade and travel links to Miami-Dade County.
Last year its trade with our region reached $136 million, making South Africa the county’s 55th largest trade partner.
The Speaker and Members of the Province of Gauteng Legislature: The Honorable Richard Mdakane, Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, his wife, and two other members of the Gauteng Legislature as well as legislative aides will be in Miami-Dade from July 15 to July 21. Gauteng is South Africa’s most populous province and the seat of the City of Johannesburg.
The delegation is officially being hosted by ITC Chair Natacha Seijas and Commissioners Audrey Edmonson and Sally Heyman, who were part of the ITC mission to South Africa last year. The Board of County Commissioners will welcome the delegation. The ITC is working with the Beacon Council, The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami International Airport, and Johnson & Wales University in preparing a full agenda for the visit.
Among key areas of mutual interest, South African Airlines is considering re-opening its direct air service between Johannesburg and Miami. Other objectives of the visit are to foster partnerships and relations with the ITC; develop mechanisms of exchange programs between the two governments, and forge cultural exchange programs with Miami-Dade County.
The Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa: This delegation of trade officials and private sector representatives is coming to Miami-Dade also at our invitation, on July 23 and 24. It will be led by Mr. Iqbal Sharma, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Trade and Industry. ITC is hosting the visit. Enterprise Florida and South Africa’s Consulate General in New York are providing logistical support.
The objective of their visit is to explore the expansion of trade through Miami-Dade County as a platform for global trade, and the establishment of a Trade Office in Miami-Dade County.
During their visit the delegation will be touring main trade and business sites and their private sector representatives will have ample opportunity to meet counterparts from their sectors during matchmaking sessions arranged by the ITC.
