24 August 2000
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE VISIT TO SINGAPORE, THAILAND AND VIETNAM BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR AZIZ PAHAD : 29 AUGUST TO 9 SEPTEMBER 2000.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, will visit Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam on official visits from 29 August 2000 to 9 September 2000.
In Singapore, Mr Pahad will address a meeting of South African Heads of Mission for the Middle East and Asia. Mr Pahad is also scheduled to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Law of Singapore and visit institutions which are active in promoting small and medium enterprise (SME) development. South Africa's bilateral trade with Singapore is already substantial with 1999 bilateral trade amounting to R2,6 billion. Singapore is the second biggest investor from Southeast Asia in South Africa after Malaysia.
Mr Pahad's visit to Thailand comes in the wake of this country becoming South Africa's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia with bilateral trade reaching R2,66 billion in 1999. Thailand currently chairs the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) after having taken over the Chair from South Africa in April 2000.
Vietnam is playing an increasingly important role in Southeast Asia. Mr Pahad's visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will further consolidate and strengthen South Africa's relations with this important Southeast Asian country. Bilateral trade with Vietnam in 1999 amounted to R127 million. Vietnam has also recently established an embassy in Pretoria.
South Africa's bilateral trade with the countries of Southeast Asia in 1999 amounted to R10,4 billion. The economies of members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) grew on average 4,6% in 1999 compared to 4,4% in 1998 and is projected to grow by 4,5% to 5% in 2000. Economic recovery in the wake of the Asian economic and financial crisis brings renewed growth and opportunities for a substantial increase in trade and investment.
Mr Pahad will return to South Africa on 10 September 2000.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
P/B X152
Pretoria
24 AUGUST 2000