The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Gold Yard International Exchange Service (Gold Yard), an organisation representing various provincial bureau of China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, have signed an agreement which is set to boost industrial development on the African continent.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini, and Gold Yard General Manager, Mr Anquan Chi, in Pretoria, on Wednesday, 25 July 2018.

China and South Africa enjoy strategic relations in science, technology and innovation. In the past, the CSIR has worked with other Chinese institutions in the areas of energy storage and artificial intelligence.

The two organisations have agreed to collaborate on a number of research activities aimed at accelerating research capacity and industrial development in Africa.

These include, but are not limited to, key initiatives in the fields of health, with a focus on nutrition and affordable, novel treatments; natural environment, where the emphasis is on the wise use of resources, with the aim of establishing a secure future environment; energy, with the focus on alternative and renewable energy; as well as defence and security, contributing to the readiness and capability of securing a safe future.

The partnership aims to improve the competitiveness of industry from large multinational to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), within a particular focus on SMEs in critical economic sectors.

Speaking at the signing event, Dr Dlamini welcomed the agreement, saying it was significant for South Africa and China to exchange ideas and technologies to improve the competiveness of our industries.

“This is a very important strategic development to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. This partnership will lead to mutual benefit for South Africa and China through the exchange of ideas and technologies. The hard work starts now in terms of realising the ambitions and the intentions set out in the MOU,” said Dr Dlamini.

As part of the agreement, the CSIR will share its technologies, which are suitable for the Chinese markets, for industrialisation and commercialisation in China.

Gold Yard will provide the CSIR with some Chinese research projects for the organisation to conduct research and development in South Africa to suit the market and to adopt the local standard.  

Mr Chi emphasised the need to strengthen relations further. He welcomed the partnership, saying that it is key for the countries to enhance their research and innovation capabilities.

“China and South Africa have many things in common; we are all striving for economic development to improve our people’s lives. South Africa has a number of advanced technologies and talent. We would like to introduce the good technologies developed by the CSIR for commercialisation and industrialisation in China, in order to boost the South African economy,” said Chi.

Issued by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Gold Yard International Exchange Service

About the CSIR:

The CSIR is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research, technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more info visit www.csir.co.za.

Enquires:

CSIR

David Mandaha
Tel: +2772 126 8910
Email: dmandaha@csir.co.za 

Gold Yard

Venessa Chi
Tel: +2772 066 6662
Email: kvenessachi@gmail.com