SANEC and FIPA cooperation to boost trade in the Free State  

The Southern African – Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (SANEC) and the Free State Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday 13 May 2009.

The aim of this agreement is to increase bilateral trade between the Netherlands and the Free State. Under the agreement, SANEC will introduce FIPA and their stakeholders to potential investors and business partners. This will be established through exposure to incoming trade missions - hosted by SANEC at least twice a year; exposure during networking events and by means of trade enquiries and matchmaking requests. FIPA will also be entitled to utilise SANEC’s communication and marketing tools to communicate information on the Free State Province and its trade and investment opportunities. “In order for us to achieve our mandate of increased investment and export levels, it is important for FIPA to collaborate and form strategic partnerships. We at FIPA are confident that our partnership with SANEC will lead to increased investment for the Free State Province as well as to increased bilateral trade between the province and the Netherlands.” Says Mr. Makama, Chairman of FIPA,

Co-operation between SANEC and FIPA took shape during the World Cup 2010 trade mission that was organised by SANEC. During this mission it was established that further co-operation would be beneficial for both parties. Since then, FIPA has featured in the SANEC Business Directory 2009 and it has attended the SANEC Trade & Investment Dinner. The signing of the MoU will take place during an Economic Trade Mission from the Netherlands to South Africa and Mozambique.