What images spring to mind when thinking of South Africa?

 ...Nelson Mandela, Table mountain, the rainbow nation, Kruger National Park and of course, the 2010 football World Cup.

Many people have no idea that South Africa is one of the world's leading emerging markets. Indeed, South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa, with a gross domestic product (GDP) comprising around 25% of the entire continent's GDP.

The country leads the continent in industrial output (40% of total output) and mineral production (45%) and generates most of Africa's electricity (over 50%). Major strengths include her physical and economic infrastructure, natural mineral and metal resources, a growing manufacturing sector, and strong growth potential in the tourism, higher value-added manufacturing and service industries.

The 2010 World Cup has opened up a multitude of new opportunities in almost every sector and UK companies are extremely well placed to take advantage of these developments.The next emita seminar, South Africa - an eye for business! will highlight the potential that exists for doing business in South Africa. We are privileged to have three highly experienced speakers who will share with us the benefit of their knowledge:

• The Rt Hon Paul Boateng, UK High Commissioner to South Africa will tell us why, in his opinion, the time is now right to trade with South Africa.
• Tumelo Nkoane, the Minister (Economic) at the South African High Commission in London, will give us an overview of the business opportunities that exist for UK companies.
• Mike Burgess and Peter Watts from Bombardier Transportation will share with us their experiences of how they successfully won the bid for, and their experiences in implementing, the Gautrain project in South Africa.