Issued by: SA Communication Service
REPORT ON THE VISIT OF EXECUTIVE DEPUTY PRESIDENT TM MBEKI TO DAVOS, SWITZERLAND 30 JANUARY TO 2 FEBRUARY 1997
The Executive Deputy President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, has called on business and political leaders to assist the developing world to be a part of the globalisation process that is unfolding.
The concept of Globalisation is being used frequently to define free trade,k the free movement of commodities, the free flow of information through the development of information technology, the opening up of international markets and the free movement of people across borders.
Mr Mbeki made his remarks at the World Economic Forum (WEF) being held in Davos, Switzerland.
The WEF is an annual event which brings together world business and political leaders to discuss the political and economic state of the world and to devise strategies for future corporation and development.
The Executive Deputy President said the process of Globalisation is inevitable and should not be resisted. He pointed out, however, that this process will bring with it certain benefits but it also carries the danger of further widening the gap between the developed and developing countries.
The Deputy President went on to say that it is necessary to make conscious efforts to ensure the capacity of the smaller countries to impact on Globalisation. While acknowledging that countries are at an uneven level of economic development he emphasised the need for smaller countries to have influence in the process.
Mr Mbeki further said that the establishment of the UNDP and UNCTAD were predicated on the notion that there are weaker countries that need assistance. He urged the corporate world not to ignore its social responsibilities.
Mr Mbeki said his vision and the challenge of the future was to consolidate and reinforce democracies, to promote stable political systems and also the promotion of sustainable economic growth.
On South Africa, Mr Mbeki said the challenges confronting the new order was to address the disparities that exist between Black and White, to generate sustainable economic growth, to address the inequalities which find expression in terms of colour, to assist black people to be entrepreneurs, and to deracialise the economy.
During his stay in Davos Mr Mbeki also had bi-lateral meetings with Mr A Eggleton, the Minister of International Trade of Canada, Mr D Cotti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Mr JP Delamuraz, the Minister of Economic Affairs, also of Switzerland, Mr Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House of Representatives (USA), Mr Kofi Annan, the new Secretary General of the United Nations and Mr Yasser Arafat, President of the PLO and the Hungarian President.
He also participated in confidential discussions attended by government leaders which addressed issues that should go on the Global Agenda.
Mr Mbeki also had meetings with businessmen from Europe, the United States and Asia.
The Executive Deputy President returned to South Africa on Monday, 3 February 1997
Issued by: Thami Ntentini Director of Communications Cell: 083 5555 118 Date 3 February 1997