Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
14th October 2001
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, accompanied by a ministerial and business delegation will visit South Africa from 16 to 19 October 2001. During his State Visit, President Bouteflika will co-chair the Second Session of the South Africa-Algeria Bi-national Commission with President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria.
The objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and to increase high-level dialogue over a wide range of issues.
A Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) between South Africa and Algeria was established in 1998, as a direct result of the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. On agreement between President Mbeki and President Bouteflika during the meeting at the OAU Summit in Algiers in July 1999, the JBC with Algeria was upgraded to the Bi-national Commission (BNC) at presidential level. The First Session was held in Algiers during September 2000. To date 14 bilateral agreements have been signed within the framework of the JBC and BNC with regard Cooperation in the fields of trade, science and technology, merchant shipping and bilateral air services, animal health as well as Cooperation in the field of mining and energy and communications technology.
Representatives of various government ministries, Parastatals and a business delegation are to be included in the Algerian delegation. This very important event also evaluates the progress that has been made since the establishment of the mechanism of bilateral Cooperation.
Algeria is one of the most important political actors in Africa and the world’s 10th largest nation. President Bouteflika is a respected African Statesman and his country has played a strong leadership role in international organisations, not only within the OAU, but also with regard to the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. It is under Algerian Chairmanship of the OAU that the transition to an African Union began.
Together with President Mbeki, President Bouteflika has played a vital role in giving substance to the vision of an African Renaissance. This partnership strives to attain sustainable stability, security, poverty relief and development on the African continent in the framework of the Millenium Africa Recovery Plan (MAP - New Africa Initiative). In addition, South Africa and Algeria share several other common objectives, including the reform of the United Nations system, the peaceful resolution of conflict, disarmament, a successful transition from the OAU to the African Union and Globalisation.
Since the inception of diplomatic relations with Algeria in 1994, bilateral trade has increased substantially. Total trade for 1999 stood at R275, 284,139. The Algerian markets hold significant potential for South African investors. Hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, infra-structural construction, the financial and manufacturing sector are some of the industries that offer lucrative opportunities.
While the relationship between Algeria and South Africa is already clearly defined, this State Visit will further cement relations between the twocountries with a particular focus on expanded economic ties.
President Bouteflika will also address Parliament while in Cape Town.
BACKGROUND
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Algeria were established in 1994. Since then the bilateral relationship has expanded across a wide spectrum.
In 1998 the South Africa-Algeria Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) was established.
At a meeting between President Mbeki and President Bouteflika at the OAU Summit in Algiers in July 1999 the JBC with Algeria was upgraded to presidential level and consequently replaced with a Binational Commission. The First Session took place in Algiers in September 2000.
Fourteen Cooperation Agreements have been concluded since the establishment of the JBC and subsequently the BNC. These bilateral agreements are in the fields of:
Algeria is ranked as the 45th biggest export market for South Africa.
Algeria is South Africa’s largest trading partner in the North African region
After Sudan, Algeria is the biggest political unit in the Africa, and the world’s 10th largest nation.
With a current population of over 31 million, Algeria has a GDP of US$ 5,459 per capita
Main industries of Algeria are Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical & food processing
Algeria is an influential member of the League of Arab States, the MAGREB Union and the Al Quads (Jerusalem) Committee.
For further information, contact Mr Ronnie Mamoepa at È 082 990 4853