From July 2019, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) has seized 550 shipping containers of "illegally-imported and undervalued clothing and footwear, to protect local industries and entrepreneurs," Patel told Parliament.
"An agreement has been reached with the UK to maintain access for South African products in its market after Brexit and the country has also worked hard to build the African Continental Free Trade Area as the foundation for a long-term growth," the minister said.
He stated that South Africa is well-positioned to become a major supplier of industrial goods and value-added services to the continent.
Mentioning that COVID-19 has exposed the fragility in the global economy, he said: "To prepare for the post-COVID world, we will strengthen efforts around reconstruction and recovery, including broader pacts with workers and businesses, focused on saving as many firms and jobs; identifying new opportunities; embracing digital technologies to recover and change; addressing economic inclusion with greater urgency".
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)