ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOUTH AFRICA-NIGERIA BINATIONAL COMMISSION ON CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Issued by the Office of Deputy President

Deputy President Jacob Zuma will lead a South African government delegation to Nigeria on Sunday 3 October for a discussion with representatives of the Nigerian government led by Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the establishment the South Africa-Nigeria B inational Commission on Co-operation and Development. The binational discussions will take place on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 October.

The Deputy President will be accompanied by Minister Alec Erwin, Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad. Details of other Ministers who will be joining the delegation will be released later.

BACKGROUND

With the attainment and consolidation of political democracy and stability in Nigeria and South Africa over the past few years, it is widely recognised that the two countries have the potential support and promote rapid and sustainable development in Afric a.

By virtue of their relative economic strength, Nigeria and South Africa have the ability to assist Africa into the mainstream of global socio-economic development within the broad objectives of African Renaissance. It is hoped that through mutually reinfor cing measures, the efforts of the two countries, can be maximised to the benefit of the continent.

Through discussions over the past few months, the Governments of both Nigeria and South Africa have agreed on the need to establish a Nigeria-South Africa Binational Commission on Co-Operation And Development to provide an effective framework for their col laborative efforts in Africa.

Objectives of the Commission

• To provide a framework for collaborative and co-operative efforts in the common endeavour to bring Africa into the mainstream of global political, social and economic developments.
• To provide for the governments and private sectors in both countries to consult each other on their economy and investment climate with the view to promoting trade and industry.
• To improve bilateral relations between the two countries in the field of technology, education, health, culture, youth and sports.
• To utilise the generous endowments of both countries in human and natural resources to maximise socio-economic development, through economies of scale, global competitiveness and specialisation based on comparative advantage. It is anticipated that colla boration will be mainly in the areas of energy, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-allied ventures, mining and the development of the capital market.
• To establish the mechanisms for putting the benefits of economic co-operation to the service of peace, political stability, social integration and economic development in other parts of Africa.

Proposed operation of the BNC

Chairpersonship

That the Commission be co-chaired by Deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar.

Composition

Delegations from both countries will include senior officials from the ministeries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Commerce/Trade, Communications, Minerals and Energy, and National Planning.

Clusters

It is also proposed that the Commission be grouped into the following clusters: 1. Economic Cluster (Trade and Industry, Minerals and Energy, Finance, Agriculture, Public Enterprises, Land Affairs and Transport).
2. Judicial Cluster (Justice, Constitutional Development and Safety and Security).
3. Social Cluster (Environmental and Tourism, Education, Arts Culture Science and Technology, Health and Labour).
4. Political Cluster (Presidency, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Intelligence).

Private Sector involvement

It is envisaged that the role of the private sector will be examined more closely in future.

Regularity of meetings

It is proposed that the BNC will meet at least once a year at alternate venues in South Africa and Nigeria.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990 4853

Issued by the Office of Deputy President
The Presidency
Communication Unit
P/Bag X1000
Pretoria
0001

29 September 1999.