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South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today; Thursday, 29 October 2015 concluded his visit to Mexico where he was representing President Jacob Zuma at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit (OGP) under the theme “the role of open government in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.”

During the Summit, Deputy President Ramaphosa acknowledged the honour bestowed on South Africa in assuming the leadership and chairpersonship of the organisation taking over from Mexico which led the organisation in the past year.

“For our country and our President Jacob Zuma whom I represent here, this Summit is even more special because of the honour, trust and confidence expressed in South Africa to assume the critical responsibility of being Lead Chair of the OGP”, Said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Summit.

The objective of the Open Government Partnership formed in 2011 and which currently comprises 66 member-states is to improve government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens with the aim of improving services and reducing poverty.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation to the Global Summit included South Africa’s Ambassador to Mexico Sandile Nogxina, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers, Ayanda Dlodlo, Mzwandile Masina, Legal Advisor to the Deputy President Nokukhanya Jele and senior government officials.

While in Mexico, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and discussed the consolidation of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Mexico is regarded as South Africa’s biggest trading partner in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina. Bilateral trade has been growing but there has been slump in South Africa’s exports to Mexico in 2013 and 2014. South African companies such as Aspen and Old Mutual have however increased their footprint in Mexico with Aspen having moved into the group of 20 biggest companies in Mexico.

Deputy President Ramaphosa had an opportunity to address the Business Breakfast and Trade and Investment Seminar. He also had an opportunity to meet with Carlos Slim the Founder of Grupo Carso, with a view to assuring Mexican business leaders that South Africa remains open for business and investment opportunities.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also met with the leadership of the ruling Mexican political party the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

The visit to Mexico was part of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s three-nation visit that included Cuba and Sweden.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to the Republic of South Africa on, Friday 30 October 2015.

Issued by The Presidency