European Union and the European Investment Bank explore trade opportunities at Coega

Representatives from the trade and economics section of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa and the European Investment Bank this week visited the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to explore opportunities for further trade and investment collaboration.

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The delegation set out to learn more about the work of the Coega SEZ, and its current investors – with a focus on European investors – and shared their priorities in South Africa with the Coega SEZ management.

“The European Union is impressed by the operations and opportunities for investors at Coega SEZ. Our visit focused primarily around understanding these operations and opportunities, noting the proximity to the port and impressive infrastructure within the Zone. We look forward to exploring further areas of collaboration with Coega Development Corporation in the future, specifically around green hydrogen,” said Roberto Cecutti, European Union Delegation to South Africa, head of Trade and Economics.

Focus on green hydrogen

The delegation was taken through Coega SEZ operations and its activities in the emerging sector of green hydrogen, followed by a tour of the SEZ including the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park.

Coega is a leading SEZ in Africa and preferred investment destination and gateway to African and world markets. It is the largest and most successful SEZ in South Africa, and winner of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) Investor of the Year Award 2019.