Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will visit South Africa from 24 to 29 September 1997, at the invitation of President Nelson Mandela. Prince Sultan, who is scheduled to meet with the President, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and Defence Minister Joe Modise, will be accompanied by the following Ministers:
Mr Ali Al-Nuaimi Minister of Petroleum and Minerals Dr Musaed El-Ebaan Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Mr Abdulrahman Mansouri Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Abdulaziz Al-Jasir Assistant Deputy Minister of Commerce Mr Osamah Abu Ghararah Deputy Minister for Industrial Affairs in the Ministry of Industry and Electricity
South Africa and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 1994 and maintain friendly relations. President Mandela paid a private visit to the Kingdom in October 1994 during which he met with Prince Sultan and extended the invitation to visit South Africa. In December 1996, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki visited the Kingdom and announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries. This partnership will involve co-operation in numerous fields such as energy, trade and investment, the exchange of technology, agriculture, mining and others.
Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly important trading partner for South Africa. In 1996, South African exports increased by 31% on the year before to R428 million, while imports from Saudi Arabia increased by 24% to R933 million.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 17 SEPTEMBER 1997