Western Cape companies signed deals worth R110-million on a halaal investment mission to Senegal.

Export deals signed by six companies will create 24 new jobs in Cape Town‚ Wesgro CEO Tim Harris said on Thursday‚ and three companies signed foreign direct investment declarations.

“This is an exceptional result that will cement Wesgro and the Western Cape’s presence in Senegal and its halaal market‚” said Harris.

Western Cape economic opportunities MEC Alan Winde said the mission’s success illustrated the importance of the growing halaal industry. “The impact on jobs and economic growth is clear. Our data shows that by maximising our reach into the growing global halaal market‚ Western Cape businesses could create 32 000 jobs.

“A key part of this strategy is developing the capacity of emerging local entrepreneurs to benefit from this growth.”

Islam is the predominant religion in Senegal‚ where 92% of the 15 million people are estimated to be Muslim.

According to Wesgro research‚ the Western Cape exported goods — mainly fruit — worth $16-million to Senegal in 2016 compared to $14-million in 2015.