Johannesburg, Aug 22 - India is committed to further expand and diversify its trade with Africa, to which South Africa was a gateway, Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma said here Friday.

Addressing the India Business Forum (IBF), an umbrella organisation of Indian business representatives in South Africa, Sharma highlighted the need for Indian businesses to continue their proactive engagement in South Africa with its emphasis on ethical factors as well as job creation and skills development for the local economy.

Sharma said these were the elements which distinguished Indian investment from other foreign investors.

Sharma, who is the first Indian minister to visit South African shores since the general elections in both countries earlier this year, is here at the invitation of his South African counterpart, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies.

Starting off a full four-day programme, Sharma also met Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in Pretoria Friday.