# Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau has signed a 232-billion-rand Country Programme agreement with African Export-Import Bank to boost trade and industrial financing for South African businesses, state-owned entities and financial institutions. The programme will support manufacturing, mineral beneficiation, energy, infrastructure and exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Tau says the partnership will advance industrialisation, economic transformation and regional integration. The agreement will also assist local firms access funding, expand into African markets and strengthen value chains.
South Africa secures R232-billion trade finance programme