Launch Dinner — FDI Investors Survey

On the evening of Friday, 11 July 2025, the Inclusive Society Institute, in collaboration with the South African Chinese Economic and Trade Association (SACETA), hosted an exclusive launch dinner at the offices of the Bank of China in Johannesburg.

The event brought together prominent representatives from the Chinese business community, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss the importance of foreign investment in South Africa.

The primary purpose of the dinner was to officially launch a comprehensive research initiative into investor sentiment toward South Africa, led by the Inclusive Society Institute.

The research will be conducted in three phases:

1. Phase one focuses on gauging investor sentiment from China and the broader East Asian region.

2. Phase two will explore the perceptions and sentiments of investors from Europe and the West.

3. Phase three will provide a global overview of international investor sentiment toward South Africa.

The insights gained from this study will inform the development of investor-friendly foreign direct investment (FDI) policies aimed at attracting more investment into South Africa. Ultimately, the goal is to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Speakers at the event included Mr. Zhang Chaoyang, chairperson of the South African China Economic and Trade Association and chairman of the Bank of China; Mr. Daryl Swanepoel, chief executive officer of the Inclusive Society Institute; His Excellency Ambassador Wu Peng, representing the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa; and the Honourable Dr. David Masondo, deputy minister of finance in South Africa.

The programme was directed by Ms. Jenny Wu, an advisory council member of the Inclusive Society Institute.

Through this event, the Inclusive Society Institute has taken an important step in strengthening economic cooperation between South Africa and international investment partners, starting with China.