Issued by: SA Communication Service
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT : VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG OF SINGAPORE : 24 - 28 FEBRUARY, 1997
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore is paying an official visit to South Africa from 24 to 28 February 1997 and is being accompanied by a government delegation as well as a forty-strong business delegation. The Prime Minister was officially welcomed by President Mandela at Tuynhuys, Cape Town, on 25 February 1997. During the bilateral discussions, the promotion of investments from Singapore, South Africa's participation in Singapore's technical assistance programme, and the possibility of closer links between SADC and the Southeast Asian regional organisation, ASEAN, were discussed. These discussions will he pursued when President Mandela visits Singapore on 5-6 March 1997, as part of his forthcoming visit to Southeast Asia.
During his visit, Prime Minister Goh will meet with several members of Cabinet and political leaders, and he will also address the Inter-governmental Forum at Spier Estate on 25 February 1997. Prime Minister Goh will receive a special jubilee award from the University of Witwatersrand Business School. Prime Minister Goh will also meet with Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale in Johannesburg on 26 February 1997, after which they will both attend a dinner hosted by the leader of the Singaporean business delegation. Prime Minister Goh will also address a luncheon hosted by the African-Asian Society in Johannesburg on 27 February 1997.
South Africa and Singapore signed a bilateral agreement on the avoidance of Double Taxation in December 1996. Trade between South Africa and Singapore has increased from 1,1 billion Rand in 1993 to 2,3 billion Rand in 1995. During the period January - September 1996 total bilateral trade amounted to 2,23 billion Rands. Although Singaporean investments in South Africa are increasing, it was agreed that the medium and long term potential of these investments are very promising.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 25 FEBRUARY 1997