南非的货币汇率低，世界一流的基础设施和高品质的生活又能保证投资者的钱花得其所。南非仍然是世界上电价最低的国家，而且油价也不算高。与其他新兴国家相比，南非的人力成本亦算得上优惠
文I 多拉娜·姆西曼 南非驻华大使 翻译I 周竞男 摄影I 鲁门
● 中南双边合作密切
● 投资者的理想国
● 市场的门户
● 优惠的创业成本
● 产业能力和前沿科技
● 助力投资者
● 行业机会
南非乐见本国每一个经济领域对外开放。南非拥有稳定的民主政府、良好的金融安全性、操作透明且高度管制的银行业，可谓投资者的天堂。各个经济领域乃至全国都有大把好机会等着国际投资者的到来。作为非洲大陆的代表国家，南非潜力无穷，同时它也是通往东西方贸易和洲际贸易的门户。
中南双边合作密切
自1998年1月南非与中国建交以来，两国关系在2010年迈上了历史新台阶——那一年双方成为“全面战略伙伴关系”。由于双边关系良好，两国在政治、经济、贸易和其他领域的合作不断发展，这反过来又进一步加强了两国友谊。
2015年12月，习近平主席对南非进行了国事访问。期间，双方在比勒陀利亚联合大厦签署了26项价值460亿元人民币的合作协议，双边合作提升至新高度。两国元首承诺在6大重点领域实施战略项目，这包括：
●通过产业对接，加快南非的工业化进程
●加强特别经济区（SEZs）的合作
●加强海事合作
●基础设施发展
●人力资源合作
●金融合作
中国公司在南非的投资范围广泛，涉及矿产、制造业、服务业和农业等领域。中国对南非的投资主体集中在制造业——该行业里活跃着逾80家大型中国公司以及一众中小企业。
投资者的理想国
南非这个国家，既有第一世界高度发达的经济基础设施，又不乏新兴市场经济的旺盛活力，这两者独特的结合可谓满足了投资人的所有梦想。南非绝大部分经济领域都向投资者开放，且对外资的形式或范围几乎没有限制。出口商可以得到譬如出口市场协助这样的帮助以及出口商品和服务零增值税率的优待。南非国内生产商品和服务的实体企业还享有为投资者提供的各式各样投资激励政策。
投资优惠政策为外商投资在南非的发展提供了支持。对基础设施、小企业、技术发展和特定领域干预等方面的大规模投资正在有条不紊的进行当中。南非拥有世界级先进的法律框架，涵盖商业、劳工和海洋问题。该国的金融系统成熟，有活力，监管良好。该国的银行业管制水平可与世界上最完善的国家相媲美，并且常年列为全球前10。根据市值划分，约翰内斯堡证券交易所属于全世界最顶级的20个交易所之一。
市场的门户
南非处于中南美洲的新兴市场与南亚和远东的新晋工业化国家之间，起到转运点的作用。穿越南大西洋和印度洋的全球主要大洋航线，势必流经南非的海岸线。南非有7个商业港口，是非洲大陆上最大、设备最完善、最高效的港口群。1994年签署《关税和贸易总协定》以后，南非成为国际贸易体系的一员。通过与欧盟、南方共同市场（MERCOSOR）和南部非洲发展共同体（SADC）签署自由贸易协定，并随着《非洲增长与机遇法案》在美国的实施，南非作为市场门户的地位也得到了提升。
优惠的创业成本
南非的货币汇率低，因而成为外国人生活、工作和创业成本最低廉的国家之一。世界一流的基础设施和高品质的生活又能保证投资者的钱花得其所。南非仍然是世界上电价最低的国家。跟其他国家相比，油价也不算高。
与其他新兴国家相比，南非的人力成本亦算得上优惠。南非有大批的技术劳工，他们或是来自各个大学、职业学校和技术学校，或是受过专业的公司培训。许多领域，包括生物科技、纳米技术、氢燃料开发、土著/传统医药、体育科学等都在进行着重要的创新工作。
产业能力和前沿科技
南非的制造业生产正在逐渐往科技密集型方向发展，高科技制造业在制造业总产值中所占比重越来越大。南非发展了一系列前沿科技，尤其集中在能源和燃料、钢铁生产、深层采矿、通信和信息科技等领域。南非通过了《产业政策行动方案》，该方案不仅为促进南非长期工业化奠定了基础，还有助于发展产业多样化，使本国摆脱传统大宗商品和非贸易服务的制约。
助力投资者
贸易和工业部为所有的外商直接投资设立了一站式服务，目的就是为了减少信息核查，降低投资者交易成本，并缩短政府部门的处理时间。部门专家们不仅对南非的各个产业了如指掌，而且知道如何与之接洽。他们还能从南非9省中遴选出满足投资者要求的合作机会。
在南非东开普省曼德拉湾市，工人在中国一汽南非工厂生产线上工作（新华社记者 张川石摄）
行业机会
矿产和农用工业投入：南非在矿产和农产品加工投入方面具有竞争优势，皆因其拥有大量集中的重要矿产储存，而且南非国内电价低廉，又拥有世界一流、承载力良好的基础设施，还有先进的科技基础以及成熟的创业能力。南非的铬矿、钒、红柱石和锰矿储量占世界第一。另外还有相当多的锑、石棉、钻石、煤炭、萤石、铁、铅、锌、磷酸盐、铀、蛭石、锆和铂族金属储量。
农、林、渔业为快速发展的农产品加工业提供了丰富的原材料，并具备一年四季向中国出口的优势。在农业领域中，可进行工业加工的有：淡水产养殖、海洋生物养殖（鲍鱼、龙虾）、稀有动物肉类、坚果、草本植物和水果。还有落叶水果及相应果酒和蜜饯的生产和出口以及对棉花、大麻、剑麻、洋麻和凤梨当中的天然纤维进行提取等。
制造业：南非的制造业得益于《产业政策行动方案》这个有利政策的支持。该政策夯实了本国发达、多样化的制造业基础。南非的制造业产出总量占到国内生产总值的15%。
汽车行业：汽车工业占到南非制造业出口总值的10%。汽车及配件工业发展态势良好。包括福特、北汽、一汽、宝马、大众、通用汽车、奔驰及丰田在内的汽车生产商都在本国设有厂房。
化学工业：南非的化学工业是非洲大陆规模最大的，其内容高度复杂且涵盖面广——从燃料到塑料加工到制药，无所不包。
信息通信技术和电子工业：南非的信息科技工业在最近十年里发展迅猛。依靠本土力量发展起来、由超过3000家公司组成的信息及通信技术（ICT）和电子工业发展成熟、颇有声誉。南非本土信息工业的特色是在科技方面、尤其是手机软件和电子银行服务领域占据领导地位。
金属工业：由于本国自然资源丰富，因此金属业也相应比较发达——大约占全国制造业的1/3。矿产选矿是南非的重点行业。南非是非洲大陆最大的产钢国之一，它的有色金属产业包括铝、铜、黄铜、铅、锌和锡。这些金属资源为本国蓬勃发展的交通设备、机械和固定设备产业输送了原料。
绿色产业：南非政府支持的“整合资源计划”（IRP2010-2030）为本国可再生能源的发展提供了主要动力。绿色产业主要集中在以下生产技术领域中：太阳能光伏、陆上风能、生物质、小型水电、聚光太阳能发电和填埋气体。南非的可再生能源规模化应用是所在地区发展最成熟的，因此，南非可为意欲进军本地区其他国家的风险投资人提供一个有用的平台。
油气资源：虽然南非的上游产业刚刚萌芽，但是它却拥有非常成熟的中游和下游产业。最近在莫桑比克、安哥拉和坦桑尼亚探明的油气储量给南非和其他非洲地区提供了巨大的机会。南非对于油气的潜在需求量很大，并且这个需求量还在不断增加，与之相辅的是南非强大的工业实力和相对多样性、技术商品的专业知识以及与地区多国建立的双边交流。
金融业：令南非的金融服务业引以为豪的是其拥有数十家国内和外资机构，提供全方位服务，包括商业银行、小额银行和投资银行业务、按揭贷款、保险和投资。该国银行业系统发展完善，监管有效，与工业化国家相比也毫不逊色。南非标准银行等国内银行在非洲大陆拥有较高的覆盖率。
南非之所以成为全世界最受欢迎的贸易和投资目的地，主要原因就是本国可以保证满足潜在投资者们具体的贸易和投资需求。南非出台了一系列投资激励措施，还有工业融资干预以及特别经济区来鼓励商业活动，同时，南非的贸易规则也有利于进一步扩大本国迅速成长的国际贸易。
南非无敌的美景和物有所值的投资口碑，令其颇具吸引力，是休闲和经商必访之地。
South Africa: a great place to Live, Work and Invest
By H.E. Mrs. Dolana Msimang; Ambassador of South Africa to China；Photo Provided by Armene · G
● Wide cooperation with China
● An investor’s dream
● Access to markets
● Favourable cost of doing business
● Industrial capability and cutting edgetechnology
● Investor support
● Sector Opportunities
South Africa is always open for business inevery conceivable economic sector. With stable democratic government, soundfinancial security and a transparent and highly regulated banking sector, the country is a haven for investors. Plenty of opportunities await internationalinvestors in all sectors of the economy and throughout the country. SouthAfrica holds immense potential as a representative of the continent and offerseasy access to inter-continental and East and West trade.
Wide cooperation with China
Since South Africa and China establisheddiplomatic relations in January 1998, relations between our two countries haveachieved a historical pinnacle becoming a “comprehensive strategic partnership”in 2010. As a result of our bilateralties, cooperation in the political, economic, trade and other fields have continued to grow, further strengthening our relationship.
During the State visit by President XiJinping in December 2015 , Twenty six agreements worth Rmb 46 billion weresigned at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, taking bilateral cooperation betweenChina and South Africa to a higher level. Our Heads of State committed to the implementation of StrategicProgramme with specific reference to six priority areas:
• Alignment of industries to accelerateSouth Africa’s industrialisation process;
• Enhancement of cooperation in SpecialEconomic Zones (SEZs);
• Enhancement of marine cooperation;
• Infrastructure development;
• Human Resources cooperation;
• Financial cooperation.
Chinese companies are invested in a diverserange of sectors in SA such as Minerals beneficiation, manufacturing, services,agriculture etc. The bulk of China’s investment in South Africa is in themanufacturing sector with more than 80 large companies and a multitude of SME’sactive in the country.
An investor’s dream
With the unique combination of highlydeveloped first world economic infrastructure and a vibrant emerging – marketeconomy, South Africa is an investor’s’ dream. Most business sectors are opento investors and there are almost no restrictions on the form or the extent offoreign investment. Exporters aregranted assistance such as export marketing assistance and zero rating forvalue added tax (VAT) on exports of goods and services. Investors have accessto a number of investment incentives that are available to entities producinggoods and services in the country.
South Africa’s investor friendly policiessupport foreign investment in the country. Large scale investment ininfrastructure, small businesses, skills development and targeted sectorinterventions are well under way. South Africa has a world class progressivelegal framework pertaining to commerce, labour and maritime issues. Ourfinancial systems are sophisticated, robust and well regulated. The county’sbanking regulations rank with the best in the world, and has long been ratedamong the top 10 globally. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is among the top 20exchanges in the world by market capitalisation.
Access to markets
South Africa serves as a trans-shipmentpoint between emerging markets of Central; and South America and the newlyindustrialised nations of South and Far East Asia. Major shipping lines passalong the South African coast line in the south Atlantic and Indian oceans. Thecountry’s seven commercial ports form the largest, best equipped and most efficient on the continent. Sincesigning the Global Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1994, South Africa hasbecome a player in the global trading system. Market access has been enhancedthrough free trade agreements with the European Union, MERCUSOR, the SouthernAfrica Development Community (SADC) and the implementation of the Africa Growthand Opportunity Act by the United States.
Favourable cost of doing business
South Africa’s exchange rate makes it oneof the least expensive countries for foreigners to live, work and do businessin. Its first world infrastructure andhigh living standards ensure good value for money. South Africa’s electricitycosts are still among the lowest in the world and the country compares wellwith regards to petroleum prices.
South Africa’s labour costs comparesfavourably to other emerging countries. South Africa’s large skilled labourforce comes from a variety of universities, vocational colleges and technicalcolleges as well as a well-developed corporate training sector. Important andinnovative work is happening in a number of fields, including biotechnology,nano – technology, hydrogen fuel development, indigenous/traditionalmedicines, sports science and many more.
Industrial capability and cutting edgetechnology
The country’s manufacturing output isincreasingly technology-intensive, with high technology manufacturing sectorsenjoying a growing share of the total manufacturing production. The country hasdeveloped a number of leading technologies particularly in the fields of energyand fuels, steel production, deep-level mining, telecommunications andinformation technology. South Africa has adopted an Industrial Policy ActionPlan which forms the foundation for promoting long –termindustrialisation and diversification beyond traditional commodities andnon-tradable services.
Investor support
The Department of Trade and Industryestablished a One- Stop Shop as a single point of entry for all Foreign DirectInvestment. The purpose of a one stop shop facility is to reduce informationsearch and transaction costs for investors and processing time for thegovernment. Their sector specialists have a clear understanding of and accessto South Africa’s various industries. They are able to match investor’requirements with opportunities available in South Africa’s nine provinces.
Sector Opportunities
Mineral and Agro-industry inputs: SouthAfrica has the competitive advantage in the beneficiation of mineral andagri-processing inputs due to an immense concentration of reserves of importantminerals, low cost of electricity supply, world class infrastructure withconsiderable capacity, a developed and skilled technology base and provenentrepreneurial abilities. South Africahas the world’s largest reserves of chrome ore, vanadium, and andalusite andmanganese ore. It also holds substantial reserves of antimony, asbestos,diamonds, coal, fluorspar, iron, lead, zinc, phosphates, uranium, vermiculite,zirconium, and platinum group metals.
The agriculture, forestry and fishingindustries provide the growing agro-processing industries with an abundance ofresources and are well positioned to export to China “in season and out ofseason”. The agriculture sector spans the processing of freshwater aquacultureand mariculture (abalone, lobster), exotic meats, nuts, herbs and fruit. Italso involves the production and export of deciduous fruit and wine,confectionary and the processing of natural fibres such as cotton, hemp, sisal,kenaf and pineapple.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector inSouth Africa is supported by a sound policy: The Industrial Policy Action Plan”.This policy forms the foundation of South Africa’s well developed anddiversified manufacturing base. The overall manufacturing output accounts for15% of GDP. Manufacturing is dominated by the following industries:
Automotive sector: The automotiveindustries account for 10% of South Africa’s manufacturing exports. Theautomotive and components industry is poised for growth. Vehicle manufacturerssuch as Ford, BAIC, FAW, BMW, Volkswagen, General Motors, Mercedes Benz andToyota have production plants in the country.
Chemicals industry: South Africa’s chemicalsindustry, the largest on the continent is highly complex and widely diversespanning fuel and plastics fabrication to pharmaceuticals.
ICT and Electronics: The country’sinformation technology industry has shown phenomenal growth over the lastdecade. South Africa has an established and sophisticated indigenousinformation and communications technology (ICT) and electronics sectorconsisting of more than 3000 companies. The local IT industry is characterisedby technology leadership, particularly in the field of mobile software and electronicbanking services.
Metals industry: Due to its vast naturalresources, the country has a well-developed metals industry which representsroughly a third of the country’s manufacturing. The country has a strongemphasis on mineral beneficiation. South Africa is one of the top steelproducers on the continent and its non-ferrous metal industries comprisealuminium, copper, brass, lead, zinc and tin. These materials feed into thecountry’s dynamic transport equipment, machinery and capital equipmentindustries.
Green Industries: South Africa’s governmentsupported Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2010-2030), have provided a major boostto the growth of Renewable energy in the country. The focus is on the followinggeneration technologies: solar PV,onshore Wind, Biomass, small hydro, CSP and landfill gas. South Africa’sutility scale RE sector is the most mature in the region and therefore offers auseful platform for investors who want to venture into the rest of the region.
Oil and gas: South Africa has a nascentupstream industry but very well developed mid-stream and downstream operations.The recent discoveries of gas in Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania provide a hugeopportunity for South Africa and the rest of the continent. South Africa alsohas high potential and increased demand for gas, coupled with industrialstrength and relative diversity, technical commodity expertise and existingbilateral engagements across the region.
Financial sector: South Africa’s financialservices sector boasts dozens of domestic and foreign institutions providing afull range of services including commercial, retail and merchant banking,mortgage lending, insurance and investment. The country’s banking system iswell developed and effectively regulated and compares favourably with those inindustrialised countries. Local banks such as Standard Bank South Africa have alarge footprint on the African continent.
Some of the main reasons for SouthAfrica becoming one of the most popular trade and investment destinations inthe world is due to the country ensuring that it can meet specific trade andinvestment requirements of prospective investors. South Africa has a host ofinvestment incentives industrial financing interventions and Special EconomicZones that are aimed at encouragingcommercial activity and its trade rules favour a further expansion in SouthAfrica's burgeoning levels of international trade.
South Africa's unrivalled scenic beauty andreputation for delivering value-for money make it an attractive leisure andbusiness travel destination.