Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 March 2001
DEPUTY President Jacob Zuma arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, for the Third South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) which began this morning, 12 March 2001.
Deputy President is accompanied by the following Ministers:-
Jeff Radebe, Public Enterprises
Alec Erwin, Trade and Industry
Mousiua Lekota, Defence Minister
Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Bridgett Mabandla, Deputy Minister Arts, Science, Culture and
Technology
Susan Shabangu, Deputy Minister, Minerals and Energy
The South African delegation also comprises senior government officials and more than 25 business representatives.
The Bi-National Commission is aimed at creating an enabling environment for stronger co-operation between the two countries. Addressing the opening session of the BNC this morning, Deputy President Zuma said that the relations between Nigeria and South Africa have undergone a qualitative change and have since then grown form strength to strength.
"In this regard the promotion of trade and investment and industrial co-operation between our two countries has yielded good results. This is clearly reflected in the increase in our total trade during the period January to November 2000, which reached R1.8 billion, making Nigeria our fourth largest trading partner and our number one supplier of imports on the African continent." The Deputy President later paid a courtesy call on the President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He also took part in celebrations to mark Commonwealth Day in Abuja.
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