Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON A JOINT RELEASE BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENTS OF FINANCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE EMBASSY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
South African-German Development Co-operation well on track 1997 negotiations focus on Housing Infrastructure and Vocational Training.
The 1997 South African-German Annual Negotiations on Development Co-operation were held at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, from 5 to 7 November 1997. Germany made new commitments totalling DM 59,4 million (more than R160 million).
Mr Shaheed Rajie, Chief Director : International Development Co-operation of the Department of Finance, stated that Official Development Co-operation between the two countries was already in its third year and well on track. He said that the projects were all in priority areas, and that they contributed greatly to South Africa's ability to advance reconstruction and development. In his reply, Wighard Hardtl, State Secretary of the German Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), pointed out that the diverse and extremely close relations between the two countries, marked by a spirit of partnership, are a striking proof that Germany and South Africa are bound together in a very special way. But he also reminded of the difficulties of transition: "Yet we know that South Africa has a long and arduous path before it - history has taught us that democracy and prosperity do not occur overnight".
The priorities set were reaffirmed. Germany will continue its major commitment (amounting to DM 110 million - over R 300 million to date) in the construction of low-cost housing and the development of housing infrastructure with a long to the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA). New projects relate to the promotion of the "Leadership Training System" of the national Department of Labour. Furthermore, Germany will assist in the process of setting up Investment in South Africa (ISA) as a national investment promotion agency. For a number of on-going projects additional funding was agreed upon, among them the South African-German Vocational Training Fund, and projects to strengthen strategic planning capacities on national, provincial and local levels.
For additional information please contact Mr Franz Marre at the Germany Embassy : Tel no (012) 427-8915 or Mr Wilki Jordaan at the Department of Finance : Tel no (012) 315-5650 or 083-264-5466.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PRETORIA 7 NOVEMBER 1997