Telangana seeks deeper trade, education links with South Africa
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with a high-level South African delegation led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, medical tourism and investments to promote mutual growth and development.
During the meeting, Revanth Reddy said Hyderabad’s strong education and skill-development ecosystem has helped the city emerge as a knowledge hub and a leading centre for engineering talent in information technology, pharmaceuticals, defence and aerospace sectors.
He said Hyderabad has become one of the world’s preferred destinations for establishing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) of Fortune 500 companies. The Chief Minister also highlighted the city’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, which attracts patients from several countries, including those in the Middle East, seeking affordable medical treatment.
Strengthening global competitiveness
Revanth Reddy said the state government is working to further strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a global hub for skilled manpower and medical tourism.
Referring to the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, he said the event attracted global dignitaries, diplomats and industry leaders, contributing significantly to the state’s economic and development agenda. He invited the South African leadership to participate in the next edition of the summit, scheduled for December 2026, to explore new opportunities for businesses and industries in both regions.
Bharat Future City plans outlined
The Chief Minister also briefed the delegation on plans for Bharat Future City, a proposed 30,000-acre greenfield development near the international airport. He said the project is being planned as a net-zero, globally benchmarked infrastructure hub.
IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu invited South African industrialists to explore investment opportunities in Telangana and engage in discussions on future collaboration.
Health, Medical and Family Welfare, Science and Technology Minister C. Damodar Raja Narsimha said Hyderabad is globally recognised for large-scale production of bulk drugs and vaccines. “Our government is building mega hospitals in Hyderabad to cater to the healthcare needs of our people,” he said.
South Africa highlights African market access
Addressing the meeting, Mashatile said India and South Africa share a long history of cultural and people-to-people ties.
He said South Africa offers Indian companies preferential access to markets across the continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area. The arrangement, he added, provides opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical companies to establish operations in South Africa and expand their presence across Africa.
