The changing global environment has been accompanied by a shift in political and economic power towards the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – as well as other emerging powers.

The International Monetary Fund has predicted that Brazil, Russia, India and China will together account for as much as 61% of global growth by 2020.

South Africa anticipates economic and political benefits, for both the country and the continent, to come from its membership of BRICS.

“It is a historic moment for South Africa,” Zuma said on his arrival in Sanya on Wednesday. “We look forward to using this relationship to further advance our agenda of creating jobs, as announced in the State of the Nation address in February.”

Zuma said that South Africa’s membership of BRICS would “contribute immensely in the advancement of other priorities domestically and internationally, especially in the peace and security and development arenas.”

According to the Presidency, discussions at the two-day summit, which starts on Thursday, will centre on strengthening economic and trade cooperation among BRICS members.

Zuma is being accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, and Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

After his arrival, Zuma and his delegation left for his hotel, the Hilton Sanya Resort and Spa, in Yalong Bay.

Zuma was expected to hold bilateral meetings in Yalong Bay with his Russian counterpart, Dimitry Medvedev, on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a second bilateral meeting in the early evening with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

(Source:BuaNews/SouthAfrica.info)

Speakers were Mr Andric Yew, the Head of Principal Investments- China Samsung Securities Asia Ltd, who spoke on the topic of “Perspectives from potential Asian Investors about Investing in Mining Projects in Africa ”.

Mr Yew covered risks and advice to owners and investors on African mining assets.

Mr Paul Chikawa – the Honourable Consul General of Zimbabwe spoke about “Mining Investment Opportunities” in Zimbabwe and covered the abundance of viable investment opportunities in Mining in Zimbabwe .

The Honourable South African Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau – Ms Nomatemba Tambo spoke about the ‘ Importance of South Africa joining BRIC’ and Raising Africa’s Alignment in Trade and Investment through BRIC.

The seminar had an excellent turnout of 34 interested individuals and the breakfast session had excellent feedback.

The SAWCC will be hosting more business seminars going forward.

 From left to right: Mr Andrew Yew, Mr. Paul Chikawa and Nomatemba Tambo

This dynamic organisation welcomes anyone who can assist with their existing projects, or who would like to initiate a new project that matches it’s vision and mission.

Lizette Smook, the founder and CEO, wrote to tell us about some of the exciting activities they have lined up:

1.  24 March  (Thursday at 8am.)

SAWCC guest Corinne Heijn address the Women of Influence (WOI) in the Amcham Boardroom – please book directly on by clicking Here

Corinne will be having dinner with some prominent women at the China Club on Tuesday night 22 March. Please contact Lizette Smook if you are interested in attending.

2.  23 March:

Rugby Sevens Dinner – please contact Bruce Fowler at the SAAHK for possible late availability of tickets. Morne du Plessis is the guest speaker.

3.  24-27 March (Friday – Sunday) 

Hong Kong Sevens Rugby (Hong Kong Stadium)

4.  April

Digital art exhibition from South African photographers at the HKAPA – Details will be on the SAWCCHK website soon

5.  April 2011:

South African National Day Celebrations

6.  May 12th

Special invitation from the ROSL – Lunchtime talk at Hong Kong Club by the new Hong Kong Commissioner of Police.

7.  May 23rd

Africa Week BBQ dinner at the Peak residence of our dear Branch Patron, the South African Consul-General. Details & booking form to follow, soon.

8.  August / September 2011

South African Family Braai

 For the latest updates on the activities above, or for information on the SAWCC HK, Click Here 

Various speakers will be sharing their thoughts on the following topics:

1) Perspectives from potential Asian Investors about investing in mining projects in Africa

Speaker: Mr Andric Yew, Managing Director, Head of Principal Investments-China, Samsung Securities Asia, Ltd.

2) Mining Investment Opportunities in Zimbabwe

Speaker: Consul-General Paul Chikawa, Zimbabwean Consulate-General, Hong Kong SAR & Macao SAR

3) The Importance of South Africa Joining BRIC

Speaker: Consul-General Nomatemba Tambo, South African Consulate-General, Hong Kong SAR & Macao SAR

Venue

North Block, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong

Date

Friday, 25 March 2011 (Friday)

Further details

* Doors open 08h30 for registration.

* Breakfast and speeches start at 9:00am until 11:30am

* Entry Fee: HK$200 per person

* Please make your reservation by Reply Slip.

* Payment before 21 March 2011

* By cheque: Payable to “SAWCC of Hong Kong” and mail to:

  SAWCC, 18th Floor, Wing Hing Commercial Building,

  16 Sutherland Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

* Bank transfer:

  SAWCC account: HSBC 400-616454-838

* Please e-mail a copy of the deposit slip to president@sawcchongkong.com

* Participation is strictly by reservation

* Enquiries: Ms Rebecca Yim (Tel: 25773279, Email: yimr@dirco.gov.za

The proceeds of this event will be used to subsidize the passage for students from Hong Kong University, Faculty of Business & Economic Team (Futurica) to compete for the “Queens” Entrepreneurs Competition in Canada.

In 2008 a group of Hong Kong-based South African business women met to discuss ways of supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of young people and women in business and how to build a cultural bridge between South Africa and China.  Smook was instrumental in this gettogether and the outcome was the formation of the South Africa Women’s Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong).

Lizette Smook is also the founder and CEO of Innovasians, a development and manufacturing company located in Hong Kong since 2007.

This is what the Sunday Morning Post Magazine had to say:

Who?

Lizette Smook’s mission is to make innovative products from materials most people would discard, such as dinner plates from rice husks, towels from plastic bottles and bed sheets from bamboo. Smook founded her company, Innovasians, three years ago in Hong Kong to help companies become greener and cleaner.

Why are the products unique?

Her handsome beige dishes and cutting boards are crafted from the skin of rice husks, which are bound with bio-resin and then heat-compressed. They are reusable, biodegradable and microwave safe.

Bamboo fibres can be harvested to make fabric for bed sheets, says Smook, who studied science in South Africa, where she was born. Bamboo is ideal for mass production because it grows extremely quickly, requires no pesticides and uses only 33 per cent of the water that cotton production requires.

Her non-snag towels (pictured) are made from organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles and are, according to Smook, more durable than conventional towels.

Another fabric gaining international recognition is e-leather.

“Traditionally, the leather that is harvested from cows comes from their backs because that is where the thickness and grain is most consistent,” Smook says. “The rest is discarded and thrown into landfills, where it produce copious amounts of methane gas.”

E-leather is leather that has been broken down into a fibre form, using hydro-electricity. It is then reconstructed to reduce waste.

“It is leather – only it doesn’t stretch like leather. It’s easy to clean, more durable, tear-resistant and lighter,” Smook says. “[India's] Jet Airways used the fabric in their seats and found they were 40 per cent lighter.”

Why did she jump from working for mass producers such as Nike and Next to founding a sustainable design company? ”

Actually, that was the impetus – when you see the impact on the environment that cheap, disposable fashion has, you realise that trends come and go, but the fabric and pollution created from producing these textiles lingers,” Smook says.

Where are her products used?

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts uses the rice dinnerware in its staff canteens and for guests with babies. Hong Kong hairdresser Emmanuel F uses the towels.

Sources: SCMP, SAWCC(Hong Kong) and Innovasians

The speaker on the evening will be Vanessa Farr, the United Nations Development Program’s Senior Social Development and Gender Advisor in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Farr has been with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for about 6 years where she served in various countries. She is an acclaimed speaker and has co-authored a book titled Sexed Pistols: The Gendered Impacts of Small Arms and Light Weapons

Vanessa Farr will be in Hong Kong from the 13th to the 20th September.  For more information about the event or to register, visit the SAWCC website

One such event is the upcoming Mix & Mingle Summer Bash with the South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong).

The Mix & Mingle takes place on Thursday August 12 at The Opus Grill in Central.

(Find The Opus Grill at: 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central, 2526 2366. Daily noon-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm or click here for the Google Map)

This event is targeted at professionals, small business, entrepreneurs and individuals who are looking to extend their business network by forming partnership, alliances and meeting new contacts in Hong Kong.

Bring yourself a friend and lots of business cards as there will be plenty of network opportunities.

A Lucky Draw can see you walk away with one of the following great prizes:

* A 500 HKD Dinner Voucher from Opus Grill.

* A 3 month supply of Spring water from Natural Springs Australia.

* 4 X ART JAM® is my BAG painting sessions, each worth HK$400 from ValuUp

Registration

You can Register here or simply e-mail sheldon@redgroupasia.com

Find The Red Group here

This year will be no different.  Organisers KenFair has announced that MegaShow I will take place at the HK International Convention & Exhibition Center between 20-23 October 2010 while MegaShow II takes place a week later between 28-30 October 2010.

Here is some video footage from the 2008 MegaShow:

Combined, MegaShow I & II will bring together over 6000 exhibition stands over the seven days.

MegaShow I will focus on:

* Gifts & Premiums

* Festive & Seasonal Goods

* Housewares & Home Decor

* Toys & Games

* Asia & International Focus Goods

MegaShow II will bring you:

* Home Interiors & home Improvement

* Gifts & Fashion Accessories

* Office & Stationery

The Hong Kong MegaShow I & II

Venue: HK Convention & Exhibition Center, WanChai, Hong Kong

Open to Trade buyers only.

For more information, click here

The speakers were a South African husband and wife – Petrus and Cathy Carstens and the topic was ‘A Winning Mindset’. Petrus, a successful international businessman, and Cathy, a top international cyclist present all over the world and it was indeed a privilege to be able to listen to them speak.

Cathy had the audience enthralled with her stories of how she won the international cycling championship, despite being a number of years older than her competitors and having been told that she will never ride competitively again after a car accident.

Petrus followed with an in-depth and interesting explanation about how the brain works and reacts to different situations (using the example of how he walked over hot coals) and how leveraging that knowledge will help create a winning mindset

The SAWCC would like to take this opportunity to thank Petrus and Cathy for their time and insights and we look forward to welcoming them back in the future.

For more information about the South Africa Women’s Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) visit them here

Guest speakers this time around will be South African husband and wife team Petrus and Cathy Carstens.  The event promises to be entertaining, informative, and profitable in many ways.

The couple’s mantra is: “What does it take to be a world champion? – A winning Mindset!”

If you want to know more about how to cultivate a Winning Mindset:

Venue: Foreign Correspondents Club Hughes Room

Time: 8h30 registration; breakfast served at 9h00 sharp

Date: Tuesday June 1, 2010

Cost: HK 250 members and HK 320 non-members

You can also register on-line at this link:

http://www.sawcchongkong.com/events/1-june-2010-petrus-castens-from-entrepreneur-to-business-owner.php

For more information on the SAWCC (HK) or this event, visit them online