19 June 2000
The Department of Foreign Affairs today announced that the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, will arrive in Central Europe from Sweden on Tuesday, 20 June 2000, on a 7 day working visit to several countries in the region and Turkey for political consultations, trade and investment discussions and to prepare the visit of Deputy President Jacob Zuma, later this year, to some of the countries in this region.
The Deputy Minister will begin his working visits with the Slovak Republic focusing on political consultations and the finalising of a framework for future bilateral co-operation with his counterpart, State Secretary Chlebo. This will be followed by trade and investment discussions with the State Secretary of the Economy. A review of existing and new bilateral agreements will form an important part of the discussions. He will conclude his visit by paying a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Mr E Kukan.
In order to further enhance the political and economic relations existing between other countries in the region and South Africa, the same work programme as for Slovakia, will be followed by the Deputy Minister during his one-day working visits to Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia.
The working visit to Turkey, South Africa's largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, will focus on the diversification of South African exports to include more value added manufactured goods. Current exports are dominated by raw materials. According to Turkish Customs figures for 1999, trade amounted to R4,1 billion, 7 to 1 in favour of South Africa. At the same time Turkey has invested more than R350 million directly in South Africa.
South African companies in various fields of construction are currently tendering for contracts in Turkey, the latest success being a company that will on a joint venture basis, participate in a housing project for the construction of 800 units in the earthquake hit district of Koceali. The value of this contract is R90 million.
During the visit the required legal framework for trade and investment will be put in place by the signing of economic agreements. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister will be joined in Turkey by a South African business delegation, which will include a representative from the South African Department of Trade and Industry.
Political discussions will concentrate on the signing of a Protocol on Consultations to formalise future bilateral co-operation. Since tourism forms an important component of the relations between South Africa and Turkey, Deputy Minister Pahad will also sign an agreement in this field.
Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey and Central Asia have been identified by economists and economic institutions as important emerging markets. The Caspian basin contains one of the largest oil and natural gas reserves and will play an important part in the future energy needs of the world. Numerous opportunities to be exploited by South African companies, especially in the field of pipeline construction, exist.
The reconstruction of the Balkan region after Nato's operations there last year, is another important area currently under consideration by South African construction companies.
For enquiries contact BasetsanaThokoane
Cell no. 083 443 7740
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
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