The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe, will undertake an Official Visit to the Republic of Poland from 14 to 15 March 2014 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, His Excellency Donald Franciszek Tusk.

Deputy President Motlanthe’s visit follows the visit of the Polish Prime Minister to South Africa in October 2013. In this regard, Deputy President Motlanthe will lead a ministerial and business delegation during the visit.

The Deputy President and the Prime Minister will review the status of bilateral relations and build on the outcomes of the bilateral consultations held on 17 October 2013 in Pretoria. Therefore, discussions will focus on enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries; cooperation in agriculture and rural development; education and skills development; environmental affairs; science and technology; transport and maritime.

The visit also presents an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on global issues of common interest such as the African Agenda; UN and UNSC reform; Human Rights and the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The Deputy President and the Prime Minister will attend the second South Africa-Poland Business Forum, in which more than 20 South African companies will participate.

Total trade between South Africa and Poland grew from R 2.6 billion in 2006 to R7.5 billion in 2013. South Africa’s major exports to Poland are dominated by machinery equipment and vehicles, salt and sulphur, aluminium, ores, slag and ash. Poland’s major exports to South Africa are machinery and nuclear reactors, electrical, electronic equipment, and vehicles other than railway, tramway, essential oils, perfumes and miscellaneous manufactured articles.

South Africa has significant investments in Poland in the beverages, paper, furniture manufacturing, and retail and distribution sectors. Polish commercial interests in South Africa are mainly in tourism, aviation, pharmaceuticals, mining equipment and services sector, heavy duty industrial equipment and glass ware.

Deputy President Motlanthe will be accompanied by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim I Ebrahim; Minister of Rural Development and Land Affairs, Mr Gugile Nkwinti; Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom; Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters; and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Thandi Tobias-Pokolo.

For further information, please contact:
Clayson Monyela
Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974