Food imports an opportunity for Africa, says S. African gov't official

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JOHANNESBURG, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A senior South African government official on Monday called on African countries to increase trade, particularly food trade, among each other.

John Rocha, chief director of Trade Invest Africa at the Department of Trade and Industry, made the remarks at the Africa Big 7 exhibition in Johannesburg.

He pointed out that the latest research on the agro-processing sector indicates that Africa is estimated to spend up to 50 billion U.S. dollars on food imports this year.

"We can no longer afford to lose this much-needed income and opportunity to increase trade amongst us and to build stronger developed trading partners," said Rocha.

He said research by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) shows that intra-Africa trade has great growth potential if the continent matches supply and demand by replacing global resources with the continental resources.

These efforts are part of many to implement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement which aims to scale up the levels of intra-Africa trade and investment "while we continue to nurture our trade and investment relations with other important regions of the world," Rocha said.

He encouraged African enterprises to familiarize themselves with the trade agreement and take up opportunities it presents.

The Africa Big 7 is an annual event for food and beverage professionals across the continent who visit to source, meet, and gain insight into the latest developments in the industry. Enditem

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