Gcc Plays the African Card

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Since the collapse of apartheid in South Africa, a remarkable political and trade link has developed between South Africa and the Arab Gulf states. But its full potential has yet to be realised.

South African companies are now doing significant business in the Gulf, selling everything from agricultural produce to textiles, as well as traditional exports such as gold and diamonds.

Arab countries have also turned to South Africa for a host of sophisticated manufactured goods, including cars and trucks, computers, and military equipment. South Africa is seen by them as a vital alternative to American, Japanese or European firms, which have long been the region's dominant suppliers.

South Africans, in turn, have turned to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) as a source …