Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
23 July 2001
The Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Sudan, Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail will be paying an official visit to South Africa from 25-28 July 2001, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. This will be the first official visit by a Sudanese Cabinet Minister to South Africa, other than the delegation led by President el-Bashir to South Africa for discussions with President Mandela in August 1997.
Minister Ismail will be accompanied by Mr. Mahadi Ibrahim, the Minister for Communication and Information, Mr. Riek Gai, the Minister for Animal Wealth, Ms Helen Gai, the Chairperson for the Peace Portfolio at the Sudanese Parliament, Prof. Ahmed Al-Tayeb Ahmed, the Director General for Higher Education and Scientific Research and the representatives of the Sudanese Businessmen’s Union.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will hold bilateral discussions with Dr Ismail on a wide range of issues, which will include, inter alia, the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, exploring possible South African support, (both governmental and non governmental) for the ongoing peace process, as well as issues relating to human rights in Sudan. The economic cooperation and bilateral trade matters will also be discussed.
A General Bilateral Cooperation Agreement will be signed, which provides for general cooperation and development of political, economic and cultural relations. This agreement will pave the way for future specialized agreements relating to, amongst others, the fields of Trade, Science and Technology, Education, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Agriculture, Food Technologies, Oil and Energy industries, Technical and Vocational training, Communication and Transport, Environmental issues and Tourism.
The other two Ministers will meet their South African counterparts to discuss future cooperation in their specific fields, while Ms Gai will be meeting with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) and other church leaders.
Several academic cooperation agreements will be signed with the following Universities: MEDUNSA, UNISA, University of Pretoria and the University of Witwatersrand.
A cooperation agreement between SACOB and the Sudanese Chambers of Commerce will also be signed on Friday 27 July 2001.
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad paid a working visit to Sudan in November 1999, and was accompanied by a business delegation.
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Sudan were established in 1995, when the Ambassador in Addis Ababa, Mr Welile Nhlapo was accredited as non-residential Ambassador to Sudan.
The South African Government supports the peace process in Sudan and considers it as a matter of priority and therefore accredited Ambassador to Sudan, Mr Kingsley Mamabolo, will increasingly focus on this issue.
Sudan is an underdeveloped country, and its economy remains agriculturally based, (40 % of GDP) with cotton, livestock, sesame, groundnuts and gum arabic the main export products. Defence expenditure has on average amounted annually to 50% of total government spending.
The development of the oil industry (Greater Nile Oil Project) with the opening of a 1600 km oil pipeline in August 1999 (presently pumping 220 000 barrels a day), and the discovery of new reserves, makes Sudan a net exporter of oil, with increasing foreign reserves as well as foreign investment in the oil sector taking place.
Since 1998 a number of South African companies have shown an interest in Sudan. MEATENG has constructed 2 meat abattoirs in Omdurman, ZETACHEM is actively involved in water purification in Khartoum, while SPOORNET is considering rail rehabilitation and leasing locomotives, and Murray & Roberts is constructing a sugar mill.
Trade figures between Sudan and SA have increased in favour of South Africa.
SA exports to Sudan(2000): R 50 938 823
Imports from Sudan (2000): R1 991 690
Exports to Sudan include base metals, machinery, vehicles, wood pulp, plastics and chemicals. Imports from Sudan includes vegetables, animal fats, plastics and machinery.
It is expected that SA interest will remain centred around sectors where SA has a comparative advantage, such as electricity supply, infrastructure creation, telecommunications, water purification and storage, agriculture and commercial farming and assistance in terms of financial and related technological systems. The mining industry (Randgold/Barlows) has also shown some interest, but faces stiff opposition from other foreign companies.
For More Information, Please Contact Basetsana Thokoane Office No. {012} 351 0174 / 0351 Cell No. 083 443 7740