"It is crucial liar business in Africa begins to talk one to the other. Prosperity in our economics will be through our ability to trade between ourselves."

So said Trade and Industry Minister, Alec Erwin, when he opened the African Union Business Summit in Durban today.

Addressing die more than 200 business representatives from South Africa and other regions in Africa, Erwin called on business to "break die moulds of pessimism".

Economic growth and prosperity in Africa, he said, required partnerships between business in Africa. Virtually all existing trade relations were currently between African countries and Europe and Asia.

We have a very low level of interaction between ourselves. We must begin dialogue and exchange with each other. The most fundamental objective is to improve our economies."

Commenting on South Africa's recent economic history, Erwin said the last 10 years saw a dramatic change in our structure of production.

"South Africa has moved from a situation of stagnant growth . . . (with) extreme levels of inefficiency and highly protective tariffs.

"Ten years later, some of our achievements are that our tariff levels are about 1 to 2 percent higher than Europe; we have a Free Trade Agreement with the EU and our structure of production has changed dramatically and we are much, more competitive on the world market.

"More than half of our exports consist of … manufactured products. We have changed from being a predominantly raw material exporter to a manufactured good exporter."

Referring to the potential of dialogue between business, government and other stakeholders, Erwin said: "You can achieve such dramatic changes in 10 years. In South Africa (these changes) have opened up possibilities of debate on issues."

Noting the importance of democracy and peaceful transition, Erwin said that for South Africa, the outcome of change has been change itself.