Government was at pains on Tuesday to show that it was not all doom and gloom on the investment front saying R64-billion had flowed into the country by December last year.

Speaking on behalf of the International Co-operation, Trade and Security Cluster, Telecommunications Minister Siyabonga Cwele said government's focus turned sharply to economic diplomacy during 2015 with a multitude of trips to seal deals and promote investment.

The R64.3-billion brought in for the first three quarters of the financial year was way over the targeted R45-billion, he said.

''So that's how the world really sees us they are upbeat. They have a long-term view. They don't have a short-term view,'' said Cwele.

Government has had to step up its defence of the economy after President Jacob Zuma came under heavy criticism for removing Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister and installing David van Rooyen, a relative unknown, in the position.

In response to the shock and uproar over the change, he then removed Van Rooyen and installed Pravin Gordhan who had been heading the Ministry of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Van Rooyen took over Gordhan's position at Cogta. The changes have been blamed for vast losses in investments.

Economic gains

Some of the gains, according to the cluster, were:

- China committed $10-billion for infrastructure, industrialisation and skills development to South Africa at the India-Africa summit from 26 to 30 October 2015;

- The Preferential Trade Agreement between the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern Common Market comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, was ratified by all member states and will enter into force in the first semester of 2016;

- The Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) partnership was strengthened with the signing of an agreement on the New Development Bank and the Treaty Establishing a Contingent Reserve Arrangement;

- In 2015 South African exports to the European Union amounted to more than R216-billion, of which half were manufactured goods;

- African Growth and Opportunities Act was re-authorised in June 2015 for 10 years until 2025 with South Africa's inclusion to secure continued market access for South African products;

- South Africa and the US resolved outstanding issues relating to agricultural imports from the US, which paves the way for South Africa's exports there. Outstanding issues over the export of products such as citrus, avocados, litchis, beef, mutton and racehorses are still being ironed out;

- South Africa became chair of the Southern African Customs Union in 2015;

- A total of 8 903 773 foreign tourists visited South Africa in 2015; and

- Over 1.6-million local and international tourists visited the Kruger National Park in 2015.

News24.com