Trade link with SA

The Victorian Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Tim Holding and the High Commissioner of South Africa, Anthony Mongalo have celebrated a Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) and the South African Electronics Industry Federation (EIF) supported by the South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) at the Investment Centre Victoria.

According to the minister, Victoria has the capacity to play a significant role in strengthening bilateral relationships between Australian and South African electronic industries.

"It is an important industry for Victoria which supplies something like 40% of Australia's electronics capability and manufactured products. Electronics represents up to 80% of the production costs of a modern warship or submarine and it is estimated that electronics will represent up to 40% of the cost of an automobile by 2010," said the Minister.

"Trade between Australia and South Africa steadily increased from AU$2.3 billion to AU$2.5 billion in 2003, an 8% increase.