South Africa has long been seen as an ideal trading partner for international investors. With English as the main business language and a legal system and business culture that shares many similarities with Europe; the country is noted for its ease in doing business.

First originating as a trading port between Europe and Asia, South Africa is still often used as a gateway for companies wishing to expand further into Africa. It is the continent’s economic powerhouse, with the highest GDP of any country in Africa, but as an emerging economy also remains high growth potential for investors.

With the 2010 World Cup, the South African government invested billions on infrastructure to improve the country’s roads, airports and transport services.

From a business tourism perspective, there are a number of excellent hotels, including 6* hotels, as well as first-class business facilities and telecommunications infrastructure. It also features excellent conferencing facilities across the country. In 2008, the Cape Town International Convention Centre overtook New York as the most popular convention city for long haul conference goers worldwide.

There are a number of well-known South African multinationals including SAB, Anglo American and Old Mutual, while the country also houses a presence from international companies such as Barclays Bank, General Electric, BMW and Vodafone.