China to place SA government officials on training programme

China will place SA government officials and “business leaders” on a training and skills development programme‚ the presidency has said.

“South Africa’s National School of Government will finalise details with counterparts in the Chinese Academy of Governance. Initiatives are already underway to identify relevant training programmes for public service managers‚” said the Presidency.

Government’s news agency said this was a “key outcome” of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to China.

“Among the key outcomes of the trip is that China will continue to work with South Africa in implementing the five- to 10-year strategic programme of co-operation signed during the South Africa State visit to China in December 2014‚” the government said.

China would assist South Africa with industrialisation‚ the development of special economic zones and help with the fast-tracking of infrastructure.

“In addition‚ South Africa and China will extend the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Public Enterprises and State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission on the management of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

“This aims to enhance the capacity of the state to position SOEs to drive industrialisation and unlock private sector investment between the two countries. This builds on the strong relationship that already exists between South African and Chinese SOEs.”