Strengthening Ties with South Africa
On June 19, County Wexford Chamber was honoured to host a distinguished delegation of South African businesses and representatives for a high-impact B2B networking event. The gathering brought together local and international stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration, trade, and innovation between Ireland and South Africa.
Key Themes and Opportunities
The event focused on several strategic areas of mutual interest, including:
· Bilateral trade, with Wexford positioned as a potential base for South African and African businesses seeking to expand into the European market.
· South Africa as a gateway for Irish businesses looking to enter Southern African and broader African markets.
· Supports available from the Embassy of South Africa in Dublin, offering valuable resources for businesses exploring cross-border opportunities.
· Collaboration between technology ecosystems, start-ups, and innovators in both regions, highlighting the potential for joint ventures and knowledge exchange.
· Regional partnerships, emphasizing the importance of local-to-local cooperation in driving sustainable international growth.
· Cultural connections that underpin and strengthen the business relationships between our two nations.
Guests and Participants
We were delighted to welcome:
· John Mulder, Chairman/CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce in Ireland
· Mabet van Rensburg and Charlene Hiscock, representing the Embassy of South Africa
· South African-born entrepreneurs currently running successful businesses in Ireland
· A diverse group of County Wexford businesses, spanning sectors such as AI, freight, edtech, IT, and more
Global Innovation in Real Time
A highlight of the event was a live virtual link-up with three major South African innovation hubs:
· Innovation City, Cape Town
· Johannesburg Innovation Hub
· SmartXxchange, Durban
These connections offered attendees real-time insights into South Africa’s vibrant innovation landscape and opened the door to future collaborations.
Looking Ahead
This event marked a significant step in building global connections and opening new markets for businesses in both regions. County Wexford Chamber looks forward to continuing its engagement with the South African Chamber of Commerce in Ireland and the Embassy of South Africa, facilitating meaningful partnerships and supporting international business growth.