Johannesburg – The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has welcomed the trade deal with China, which grants South Africa preferential access to Chinese markets.
MISA said it has noted that Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau has signed a trade deal with China.
This deal will give South Africa preferential access to the Chinese market.
Minister Tau revealed during an interview on SABC that the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA) includes the following:
- South Africa would get tariff-free access to Chinese markets
- There will be no limit on quotas and products that South Africa will be sending to the Chinese market
- It covers a number of areas, including trade co-operation, investment co-operation, new energy co-operation, and multilateral co-operation
MISA, which represents the majority of workers in the retail motor industry, stated that it welcomes the latest development.
“As a union representing 75 000 workers in the motor sector, MISA supports government’s efforts to attract investment and grow local manufacturing,” said MISA.
“There are Chinese automotive companies already investing in South Africa, and they are creating employment.”
MISA hopes that the CAEPA will enhance and accelerate this investment. If that happens, then workers can benefit through:
- Expansion of local assembly and manufacturing, particularly as Chinese brands seek proximity to the African market
- New jobs in logistics, warehousing, retail, servicing, and parts distribution, which are labour-intensive segments of the value chain
- Greater employment stability as brands move from import-only models to deeper market presence
“Chinese brands entering South Africa are increasingly investing in dealership networks, which directly employ sales staff, technicians, admin workers, cleaners, and security personnel—many of whom are young or first-time entrants to the formal labour market,” MISA stated
