CHENNAI: Indian nationals transiting through South Africa will no longer require transit visas as the African nation has dispensed with the requirement.

Announcing this at a meeting organised here on Monday by Southern Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), South African High Commissioner to India Francis Moloi said orders in this regard were issued last week.

He said South Africa must have a re-look at its visa regulations, particularly in the context of forging closer ties and trade and business between the two countries. On the safety and security issues in the African nation, he said since a part of the challenge came from outside, South Africa was working with governments whose nationals were indulging in serious and nefarious activities on its soil.

"Develop infrastructure"

Highlighting the potential for accelerating the bilateral economic ties, he said both India and South Africa must strive to reduce the cost of doing business in the respective countries. India must "invest a great deal" in developing its infrastructure as the growth was restrained by the lack of such facilities. A great deal was also possible with regard to the removal of the non-tariff barriers and liberalising other sectors, including retailing and mining.

South Africa on its part should change its mindset that "North America and West Europe was everything [for doing business]."

Maintaining that centres of growth lay in India and China, Mr. Moloi said the joint venture and partnership route preferred by Indian entrepreneurs brought a "breath of fresh air." On the contrary, investors from West Europe and North America were not interested in partnerships and JVs.

The target was to take bilateral trade from the existing $3.1 billion to $12 billion by this decade-end. There was a proposal to set up a consulate in Chennai and once that happened it might also lead to launch of direct flights from the city to South Africa. Some the areas in which India could provide assistance to South Africa, one of the largest producers of gold, include jewellery production and design, information technology and pharmaceuticals. South Africa could share its expertise in agro-processing and was strong in tourism and had good locations for film shooting.

The Adviser to the High Commission's Economic Affairs Division, Sarat Pradhan, said South Africa by virtue of being a part of several economic alliances served as gateway to many African countries.

According to S.RM.PL. Subramanian, former president of SICCI, there was scope for cooperation between the two countries in many fields, including energy, logistics and trade, tourism and healthcare.

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