What business leaders are watching at CIIE: Part II

Fleetwood Grobler, executive vice-president of Sasol Chemicals

What are the highlights of your exhibits at the China International Import Expo? Are you launching any new products, technologies or solutions?

Sasol is honored to be showcased at the South Africa Pavilion exhibition hosted by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). As a leading global chemicals and energy company proudly rooted in our South African heritage, Sasol is privileged to demonstrate how we can play our part in enhancing collaboration and cooperation between China and South Africa through our business. When we received the invitation from the government of South Africa to participate in CIIE, we had no hesitation in participating in this initiative, to share our positive experiences in both countries.

While not introducing new products at CIIE, we are in the final stages of completing a new 600 million yuan alkoxylation production facility in Nanjing. Sasol has had a very positive 26-year relationship history in China, starting in 1992 with the opening of our first office in Hong Kong.

In terms of deals, what do you expect from the CIIE? Whom are you targeting?

While Sasol has been a significant investor in South Africa and elsewhere in the world, our growth ambitions include Asia, with a particular focus on China. Our hope is that CIIE will open new business channels and strengthen cooperation with our customers and the broader market.

We are rapidly nearing mechanical completion of our new alkoxylation production facility located in the Chemical Park of Nanjing in the Jiangsu province. With this investment we will more than double Sasol's alkoxylation production capacity in China. We bring our in-house expertise obtained through more than 40 years' experience in the global chemicals industry.

We are excited to offer our customers in China our advanced and unique products, as well as application know-how to benefit our Chinese and China export consumers.

Do you think the CIIE could eventually help drive the development or upgrade of the industry your company is in, and your company's strategy in China?

The CIIE is a great opportunity for industries and governments to share the same space and participate in a common conversation of growth and opportunity. We believe that dialogue is beneficial to everybody. Our strategy for China is always evolving to ensure we keep the latest developments in mind. We will benefit from the exposure to the great thinkers and industry leaders present.

South Africa and China enjoy a strong relationship and the CIIE contributes to further strengthening this relationship. This is reflected in multiple structures such as the South Africa-China Bi-National Commission, the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) formation and the FOCAC (Forum and China-Africa Cooperation). South Africa hosted the 10th BRICS Summit from July 25 to 27, 2018, and participated in the recent FOCAC held in Beijing in early September 2018. Following these meetings, significant investments by China were announced.

What's your view on China's pledge to further open its markets to foreign companies? How would that benefit your business? Any specific examples?

As a leading global chemicals and energy company, we always welcome the opportunity for open market participation. We believe that our unique products consistently bring benefits to our customers and their end consumers. We have had presence in China for more than 26 years through sales offices, production and research facilities, which has enabled our business success.

This has informed our decision to investing more than 600 million yuan in a new production facility in Nanjing that will start production in 2019.

What is your forecast for China's economy in the next three years? What key issues will you be watching for?

China has committed itself to ensure resilient growth of its economy and the chemicals industry through sustainable development when it endorsed the United Nations Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda.

Sasol is aligned with this approach and actively pursues a strategy of sustainable value creation. Stakeholders today require greater transparency of business sustainability risk management. Stricter regulations require an improved environmental footprint, as do consumers demanding products that use energy more efficiently.

We will be watching these developments closely and welcome any opportunity to engage with authorities when required.

In terms of the organization of the CIIE, and the event's liaison services, what impresses you the most? Why?

As a leading global chemicals and energy company proudly rooted in our South African heritage Sasol is honored to be a guest exhibitor partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the South African Pavilion at CIIE.

As the very first import expo, the scale of the exhibition and the resource provided to the organization of CIIE is impressive. It provides a great platform for global companies to interact with a wide range of businesses in China.

What do you think of China Daily's coverage of the CIIE?

We appreciate the opportunity to interact with China Daily and share some of our thoughts about trade and business in China. It brings great value to our participation to CIIE. We look forward to more interaction with China Daily in the future.