Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
4 October 2001
The second annual South Africa – Sweden Binational Commission will take place in Pretoria from 10 to 11 October 2001. Deputy President Jacob Zuma will co-chair the Binational Commission together with the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Lena Hjelm-Wallen.
The South African – Swedish Binational Commission provides the two countries with a constructive and useful forum through which bilateral relations can be conducted and enhanced. It consists of three committees in the fields of Political Affairs, Economic Affairs and Social and Development Cooperation Affairs, which contribute to the deepening of cooperation in the various key areas.
Issues on the agenda for the discussions include bilateral relations and strengthening of economic ties, conflict prevention and crisis management in Africa, combating HIV/AIDS and other opportunistic diseases, the broadening of development cooperation relations, enhancing and expanding educational, research, scientific and technical links, the Millenium African recovery Plan/New African Initiative and the African Union, SADC/EU cooperation, as well as multilateral matters such as the recent World Conference Against Racism and the forthcoming World Summit for Sustainable Development as well as international events since the atrocities on the USA on 11 September 2001.
Since 1994 the political, economic and social links between South Africa and Sweden have improved significantly and the relationship between the two countries is often described as a strategic partnership. During the South African – Swedish partnership in November 1999 President Mbeki and Prime Minister Persson announced the establishment of a Binational Commission to consolidate and further expand the existing sound relations between the two countries. The Binational Commission was accordingly inaugurated in Stockholm in September 2000 by President Mbeki and Prime Minister Persson and has since proved to be a valuable mechanism to further enhancing relations between South Africa and Sweden.
Sweden is one of South Africa’s leading and most reliable development co-operation partners and since 1994 has committed approximately R1 billion in financial and technical co-operation. Good relations with Sweden have also been established by several South African provinces, particularly the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
From an economic perspective Sweden is an active and attractive partner in the trade, investment, finance and tourism fields. Exports to Sweden for the period January to December 1999 amounted to R228 620 million, while imports from Sweden for the same period amounted to R2 209 522 million. The number of Swedish companies operating in South Africa has grown in recent years and it is hoped to attract especially the medium - and small-sized Swedish companies to invest in South Africa.
For further information, contact Mr Ronnie Mamoepa on Č 082 990 4853