South Africa is unlocking tourism and trade with Asia from Bangkok to Taiwan. As Asia continues to present significant opportunities into tangible outcomes.
Through targeted engagements with partners across China, ASEAN and South Korea, Wesgro is helping them in unlocking new markets and buyers, attract investment and drive sustainable tourism growth.
Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, marketing the destination at global level; in this recent initiative includes – a three-day wine trade mission to Bangkok.
It is led through Wesgro’s ASEAN Desk in partnership with the South African Embassy in Bangkok and the Cape Dutch Wine Café. It will connect seven Western Cape wineries with opportunities in the Thai market.
The ASEAN Business Forum was also hosted in collaboration with FNB Trade360. It will provide local businesses with valuable insights into one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions, including opportunities across agriculture, food and beverage, manufacturing and services.
This initiative also supported the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (OKTA) Regional Conference, which was hosted by Wesgro and joined by the South Korean Ambassador to South Africa, that strengthened trade and investment ties with South Korea.
An official visit by a delegation from Taiwan City in Shandong Province, China, followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SANParks. It will further deepen ties with one of China’s most important economic regions and will open new avenues for collaboration.
As per the sources, this collaboration with them will help in connecting Table Mountain and Mount Tai, with one of China’s Five Great Mountains, creating exciting opportunities to strengthen visitor flows.
Together, these engagements demonstrate how strategic partnerships are helping in expanding Cape Town and the Western Cape’s global reach, by connecting local businesses to new opportunities, and positioning the province for long-term growth.
Furthermore, the South African businesses are invited to key expositions in Thailand like Bangkok Gems & Jewellery and THAIFEX-Anuga Asia. Cooperation mechanisms between Thailand’s Board of Investment and Invest South Africa are scaling up joint investment projects.