South Africa Protects The Textile And Garment Industry &Nbsp; Refuses To Sign Free Trade Agreements.

Rob Daview, South Africa's minister of trade and industry, decided that South Africa's textile and garment industry was vulnerable because of its weak competitiveness.

Over the past ten years, South Africa has been affected by competition in Asia, especially in mainland China.

Minister Davies said that Turkey was another major textile and garment producer after China. In order to protect South Africa's industry, it decided not to sign a free trade agreement with Turkey.

The Minister of Davies will visit Turkey in the first quarter of next year, and another mutually acceptable one will be discussed.

The bilateral trade between Turkey and South Africa reached US $2 billion 700 million in 2008, which was affected by the global financial turmoil and recession. The total trade between the two countries dropped to US $1 billion 200 million last year.

Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visited South Africa last month to strengthen bilateral relations.

Since Turkey will expand its embassy establishment next year, the number will expand from 24 to 33. Therefore, the Prime Minister of Turkey has asked for a free trade agreement with South Africa, and hopes to strengthen trade with Africa.