EXPORT and investment opportunities for UK companies in South Africa were highlighted at events for business leaders in Essex and Suffolk yesterday.

On the first leg of a three-day visit to East Anglia, the South African High Commissioner to London, Dr Zola Skweyiya, underlined the English-friendly nature of doing business in the country, its rapid rate of economic growth and its potential as a gateway to the rest of Africa.

The tour began with a lunchtime networking event organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and hosted by the University of Essex at its campus outside Colchester.

UKTI spoksman John Tingle said the event had been a great success, with key messages including the rate of growth in the South African economy – 4% in recent years and currently still running at 3% – and the foothold which the nation offered for firms also wishing in enter other countries in Sub-Saharan African.

The Colchester event was followed yesterday evening by a round-table discussion hosted by University Campus Suffolk in Ipswich.

The tour is due to continue today with visits to Otley College, near Ipswich, which will focus on agriculture, and to Southwold brewer Adnams, where the High Commissioner will be hosted by chief executive Andy Wood, who is also chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

Tomorrow, the tour will conclude with a visit by the High Commissioner and his party to the Norwich Research Park, followed by a stop-off in Cambridge on the way back to London.