Background
After
the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the
Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics.
The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and
immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants.
The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer
War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a
policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s
brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority
rule.
South Africa
is a middle-income, developing country with an abundant supply of
resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and
transport sectors, a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in
the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient
distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region.
However, growth has not been strong enough to cut into high
unemployment, and daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid
era, especially the problems of poverty and lack of economic
empowerment among the disadvantaged groups. Other problems are crime,
corruption, and HIV/AIDS. At the start of 2000, President MBEKI vowed
to promote economic growth and foreign investment, and to reduce
poverty by relaxing restrictive labor laws, stepping up the pace of
privatization, and cutting unneeded governmental spending. The economy
slowed in 2001, largely the result of the slowing of the international
economy.
Holidays
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
Mar 21 - Human Rights Day
Mar 25* - Good Friday
Mar 28* - Family Day
Apr 27 - Freedom Day(1994)
May 1 - Worker's Day
Jun 16 - Youth Day
Aug 9 - National Women's Day
Sep 24 - Heritage Day
Dec 16 - Day of Reconciliation
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Day of Goodwill
Ps:
Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.
Besides, the Festivals' dates(*) given above are also subject to change
in every new year.
Phone Codes
Country Code: 27
Outgoing International Code: 09
Resources
Market Research
CIA - The World Factbook - Republic of South Africa
This
website indicates a wide range of detail information about South Africa
by introducing under 8 different fields as its geography, people,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military,
transnational issues.
About South Africa
There
is available to find out South Africa's general outlook on the issues
of its social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation,
government, duty free, health and so forth.
South African Industry, Trade & Commerce Directory
This
directory not only displays South African products but also offers
services for imports/exports and business opportunities in South
Africa.
South Africa Business
Mbendi
serves as business oriented directory providing an ultimate African
Business Source for the potential investors seeking new business
opportunities in South Africa including the list of industries for
South Africa.
Lex Africa: Business Guide: South Africa
The
African Law Firm Network examines South Africa in order to get
comprehensive business outlook for the potential investors seeking
business opportunities in South Africa.
South African Web
South
African Web supplies ever-growing South African & international
business categories for assisting investors seeking business
opportunities in South Africa.
Business in South Africa
This
website provides an extensive information gateway for South Africa in
terms of doing business with South Africa, legal guides to establishing
business in South Africa and so forth.
South Africa Info
This
is the South African webpage that covers all fields related to South
Africa as business climate, recent political and economic developments,
public services, news and so forth.
South African Business
This
website indicates many topics such as loans, business services in South
Africa under the descriptive listings of extensive database.
South Africa Post
It
is the online news of South Africa that supplies both national and
international news primarily on the issues of politics, economy &
business.
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs - For South Africa
U.S.
Bureau of Consular Affairs creates a wide range of research named as
Consular Information Sheet about South Africa in terms of analyzing its
social, political, cultural & economic environments.
Trade Information
Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce
The
mission of this chamber is to serve the interests of business through
representing investors' views and providing services of value in South
Africa.
Southern African - German Chamber of Commerce & Industry(SAGC)
The
Southern African - German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd. (SAGC)
has promoted bilateral business relations between Southern Africa and
Germany.
Foreign Chambers of Commerce in South Africa
There
is a list which indicates the foreign chambers of commerce and
industry, and other foreign trade and business organizations in South
Africa.
Embassy Listings For South Africa
There are listed the embassies of South Africa including the embassies' contact information.
Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)
The
main mission of TBCSA is to represent the South African national
tourism marketing Authority (SA TOURISM) Board and its Marketing
Committee.
US Commercial Service - South Africa
The US Commercial Service South Africa offers valuable assistance and services to US companies doing business in South Africa.
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