Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
GAUTENG PREMIER TO MEET WITH HEAD OF BAVARIAN GOVERNMENT
Bavarian Minister President Dr Edmund Stoiber arrives in Johannesburg today (Wednesday) on the start of a six-day visit to South Africa.
Dr Stoiber, his wife Karin Stoiber, and a delegation of top German businesspeople will be met at Johannesburg International Airport by Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale and members of his provincial cabinet at 08h05 this morning.
Dr Stoiber will spend Wednesday and Thursday in Gauteng, before heading for the Western Cape.
On Thursday, the Premier and Dr Stoiber will sign a joint communique outlining cooperative agreements in several key sectors, including policing, trade opportunities and joint ventures with South African business.
Some of South Africa's top business leaders have been invited to witness the signing ceremony, which will take place in the Premier's Pretoria office. Those who have confirmed their attendance include Mr Richard Maponya, Professor Mohale Mohanyele of National Sorghum Breweries, and Mr Khehla Mthembu, MD of New Beverage (Pepsi).
The joint agreement between Gauteng and Bavaria raises exciting opportunities for growth and development in our province, as it commits the Bavarian government largest of the German provinces to various forms of technical advice and support.
Bavaria is home to most of the large German industries, including two which are already heavily involved in the economy of Gauteng: BMW and Siemens.
The province accounts for 15% of all German exports and its GDP is second-highest of the 16 German provinces.
But the Bavarian economy is broader than big business. The backbone of the provincial economy is a vast network of small and medium enterprises (which the Germans refer to as the "Mittlestand"), which produce crafts and many of the components on which heavy industry relies.
The Bavarian government has already indicated a desire to assist the Gauteng Economic Affairs & Finance Department with technical advice on encouraging and promoting small and medium enterprises in our province.
Outside the economics sphere, the Bavarian government is also offering assistance in improving the effectiveness of our policing and crime prevention. The possibility has been raised of training in investigative techniques for police officers based in Gauteng, and in the transfer of technology to the SAPS in the province.
Other training opportunities exist in the field of vocational training; Gauteng's Department of Education will be discussing this with their Bavarian counterparts at a later stage.
All media are welcome to attend the arrival of Dr Stoiber at Johannesburg International at 08h05 this morning.
You are also invited to attend the signing ceremony, which will take place from 15h30 on Thursday on the 13th floor, Gauteng Provincial Government Building, corner Bosman and Pretorius streets, Pretoria.
Issued by: Chris Vick, Communications Director, Office of the Premier Phone (011) 2401642 Pager (011) 4571111 code 7320
Wednesday 8 November 1995