VISIT BY THE THAI FOREIGN MINISTER TO SOUTH AFRICA

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE VISIT BY THE THAI FOREIGN MINISTER TO SOUTH AFRICA FROM 18 - 21 AUGUST 1997

The Foreign Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr Prachuab Chaiyasan, together with 13 officials, including a delegation from their Department of Trade and Industry, will visit South Africa from 18-21 August 1997. Minister Chaiyasan will be the guest of the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Prachuab's visit can be seen as a follow-up to the very successful visit President Mandela and Ministers Nzo and Maduna made to Thailand last month. During his visit Minister Prachuab will open the Thai Heads of Mission Conference for their Ambassadors from Africa and the Middle East being held in South Africa. He will also pay a courtesy call on President Mandela. Minister Prachuab and Minister Nzo will lead their respective delegations during bilateral discussions which will include trade and economic cooperation. The media will be briefed on the outcome of these discussions at the Diplomatic Guest House, Matroosberg Drive, Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria, at 12H00. 18 August 1997.

South Africa's relations with Thailand were stablished in 1992 and upgraded to diplomatic level in December 1993. Since then trade volumes have increased by 72%. Thailand is South Africa's third largest trading partner in ASEAN, fourth in Asia and seventeenth in the world. South Africa's trade volumes with Thailand exceeded R1,4 billion in 1996 and the trade balance is strongly in South Africa's favour.

A trade agreement between South Africa and Thailand is in the final stage and trade officials from both countries will further negotiate the agreement during Minister Prachuab's visit to South Africa.

Thailand will host the next UNCTAD Conference in the year 2000 succeeding South Africa as President thereof.

The exchange of these high-level visits is an indication of the importance that both countries place on their bilateral relations with one another.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 15 AUGUST 1997.