Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON JOINT SOUTH AFRICA-AUSTRALIA JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMISSION: 8-10 JULY 1997
The First South Africa - Australia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) is to take place on 9-10 July 1997, at the CSIR Conference Centre, Meiring Naude Road (off Lynwood Road), Brumeria, Pretoria. The Australian delegation will be led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mr Tim Fischer. He will be accompanied by the Australian Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, Mr John Moore, senior government officials and approximately 50 Australian business executives.
Foreign Minister Nzo will host a reception for the Australian delegation on 8 July 1997 while Minister A Erwin will lead the South African Government and business delegation on 9 July 1997. At the JMC, Deputy Prime Minister Fischer will participate in sector specific discussions with Ministers Mtshali, Zuma, Hanekom, Maharaj and Bengu. Minister Moore will participate in discussions with Ministers Jordan and Radebe.
The emphasis of this inaugural Joint Ministerial Commission will be on the promotion of trade and investment between our two countries. The Joint Ministerial Commission will include the participation of the Australian business delegation and the South African private sector. The broad industries represented by the private sectors will include mining equipment, auto-motive components and food processing. The service sectors will include tourism, health, financial services and telecommunications. Interested business in these sectors will be able to interact and seek areas of mutual benefit. In 1996, South Africa's trade with Australia amounted to R4,4 billion, with South Africa's exports reaching R1,643 billion, an increase of 60% over 1995 exports.
Both South Africa and Australia have much to gain from the JMC as it signals a new era of cooperation in an already strong relationship. The outcomes will help encourage trade and investment growth and in so doing strengthen links between our two countries.
Prior to the JMC, Deputy Prime Minister Fischer will travel to Durban where he will meet the Premier of KwaZulu Natal, Dr Ben Ngubane, the MEC for Economic Affairs, Mr Jacob Zuma and the Mayor of Durban, Mr Obed Mlaba.
The media is invited to the opening plenary session of the JMC on 9 July 1997 at 08:30, as well as the closing session on 10 July 1997 at 11:30, when a joint communique will be signed.
Additional information can be obtained from Henrietta van der Merwe at tel (012) 310 9495.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 6 JULY 1997