An eleven member high-level business delegation from Sri Lanka and the Maldives will visit South Africa from 25 - 31 July 1999. This will be the first visit of its kind from these two countries.
The delegation, which will visit Gauteng and the Western Cape, is mainly interested in confectionery, dairy products, wine and other beverages, building hardware and furniture.
Two-way trade between South Africa and Sri Lanka amounted to R164 million in 1998, an increase of 45% from 1997.
Similarly trade between South Africa and the Maldives, totalled R6,9 million in 1998 an increase of 19% from 1997.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
23 JULY 1999