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At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) an IFP delegation will today depart for Taiwan on a working visiting from 3-7 October 2018.

Following Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s attendance at the inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 this will be the second IFP delegation to visit Taiwan.

South Africa and Taiwan have strong trade relations albeit the diplomatically regressive decision by the Mandela administration to downgrade diplomatic relations with Taiwan to a Liaison Office.

South Africa's main exports to Taiwan include iron and ore, steel, machinery and electrical machinery, aluminium, motor vehicles, vehicle parts, coal, wood and woodpulp, copper, precious stones & metal (gold), granite, ores, organic chemicals, wool, tobacco, corn starch, preserved food and fruit juices.

Taiwan's main exports to South Africa include machinery (computer), bicycles, motorbike & auto parts, plastic resin and articles, yarn & fabric, iron/steel products, toys, sports equipment, handtools, rubber goods and optical goods.

The IFP Delegation is as follows:

1.         Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, MP (IFP Deputy President)

2.         Inkosi RN Cebekhulu, MP (Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson)

3.         Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, MPL

4.         Mr Nhlanhla Msimango, MPL

5.         Mr Petros Sithole, MP

6.         Mr Jan Esterhuizen, MP

 
The delegation will meet government and business leaders to interact on country best practice and share ideas for economic growth, development and education development. On the brink of the fourth industrial revolution the delegation will also interact with the captains of the technological, scientific and innovative sectors.

The delegation will amongst others meet with the President of the Legislative Yuan (Speaker of Parliament), Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications.

South Africa has much to learn from Taiwan. It is an economic powerhouse, despite having few natural resources, and it enjoys a stable democracy. The IFP has great respect for what they have achieved.

Issued by IFP