The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Alexandra Abrahams, today engaged Wesgro, the Western Cape’s official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, to strengthen coordination between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Western Cape Government.
The engagement focused on reinforcing an established institutional partnership and advancing a more integrated approach to trade promotion, investment facilitation and sector development. Discussions centred on improving alignment across export promotion initiatives, outward investment missions and sector programmes in support of South Africa’s international trade and investment objectives.
Speaking after the engagement, Deputy Minister Abrahams noted:
“Effective economic coordination requires alignment across spheres of government and clarity of purpose in execution. This engagement with Wesgro reflects a shared commitment to strengthening South Africa’s trade and investment architecture. Our focus is on reducing friction for businesses, expanding access to global markets, and ensuring that growth opportunities translate into tangible outcomes for enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized firms.”
Deputy Minister Abrahams and Wesgro executives further engaged on priority global markets, including India, China and ASEAN economies, and the role of coordinated outward missions in unlocking market access and investment flows. The importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises was emphasised as a central component of both investment and export strategies.
In relation to digital trade facilitation, the parties considered opportunities to strengthen access to global marketplaces through the integration of tools such as the Cape Trade Portal with national initiatives, with a view to reducing barriers to entry for exporters.
Structural constraints affecting the investment climate were also addressed, including inefficiencies in port and rail infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, and administrative challenges related to visas and compliance processes. The need for improved regulatory coordination, infrastructure reliability and streamlined processes to support business growth and competitiveness was underscored.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of a shared commitment to closer alignment, practical coordination and sustained partnership in support of a more competitive trading environment, increased investment, and inclusive economic growth.
Deputy Minister Abrahams added: “Sustained economic growth depends on the discipline of coordination and the ability to translate strategy into execution. By strengthening partnerships such as this, we are building a more coherent and responsive system that supports investment, unlocks export opportunities, and delivers measurable impact for South African businesses and workers.”
Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Alexandra Abrahams (seated, second from the left), is pictured alongside Wesgro Chief Executive Officer, Ms Wrenelle Stander (seated immediately to her left), together with officials from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Wesgro, during a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening coordination on trade promotion, investment facilitation and sector development between national and provincial partners.
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