OTTAWA – Ottawa's tepid approach to expanding trade in Africa risks seeing Canada fall behind its peers in building commerce on the continent, warns South Africa's envoy.
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
OTTAWA – Ottawa's tepid approach to expanding trade in Africa risks seeing Canada fall behind its peers in building commerce on the continent, warns South Africa's envoy.
OTTAWA – Ottawa’s tepid approach to expanding trade in Africa risks seeing Canada fall behind its peers in building commerce on the continent, warns South Africa’s envoy.
High Commissioner Rieaz Shaik said Ottawa still views African countries as recipients of aid and security assistance, despite an Africa strategy pushing for Canada to treat the continent as a series of dynamic markets set for high growth.
“My criticism of Canada would be that it hasn’t seriously made the transition,” he told The Canadian Press.
“With all second-movers in any market, you run the risk of not getting into the market — or the market becomes saturated.”
Advocates for more engagement in Africa say China, the United Arab Emirates and some other western countries have formed closer ties on the continent that could pay off for decades.
The Senate foreign affairs committee echoed that view in a report last December, arguing Canada should staff up the foreign service to expand African trade in sectors beyond mining.
Shaik said he is working to get Canada to sign a strategic partnership agreement with South Africa to commit to working more deeply in five sectors — agribusiness, infrastructure, mining, energy and advanced technologies. It would be anchored in a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement, a pact that puts legally binding rules in place to protect, promote and expand foreign investment between two countries.