Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 February 2002
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad will hold a bilateral discussion with New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Philip Goff on 6th February at Marvol Manor Guesthouse in Pretoria. Minister Goff will be visiting South Africa from 1-7 February as part of New Zealand’s commitment to building a modern and multifaceted relationship with South Africa; to explore the possibilities for further cooperation and to reinforce New Zealand’s desire to give further impetus to bilateral and trade relations.
The discussion between Minister Goff and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will focus on NEPAD, the situation in Southern Africa, the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the war on terrorism and how best to further build and enhance bilateral relations will be discussed.
Since 1994 political, economic and social links between the two countries have improved significantly. In 1996 the Cape Town Communiqué was signed which seeks to strengthen co-operation between South Africa and New Zealand. The political relationship has been further strengthened by numerous high-level delegations that have visited New Zealand to gain expertise in their different fields and exchange knowledge with the view to enhancing capacity building in central, provincial and local government structures.
South Africa and New Zealand enjoy wide-ranging multilateral relations. Both are members of the Valdivia Group that has as its aim the promotion of southern hemisphere views in international environmental meeting and the enhancement of scientific co-operation. They also enjoy a close working relationship within the context of the Antarctic Treaty and Indian Ocean Fisheries and also interact within the context of the WTO, the Cairns group, and on disarmament issues. South Africa and New Zealand also work closely together on Commonwealth issues, particularly those affecting Africa.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing steadily since 1994 with South Africa exporting motor vehicles, petroleum paper, fertilizers, fruit, plastics, machinery, as well as iron and steel whilst New Zealand exports casein, meat, transmission apparatus, dairy products, and electrical machinery. Currently the trade balance is in New Zealand’s favour. South African exports in 2000 being R 238.5 million and R 300 million in 2001. South African imports in 2000 being R 374 million and R 337 million in 2001.
An agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion which also limits the taxing jurisdiction of both states with regard to the flow and return on investments will be signed. This agreement forms part of South African Government policy aimed at encouraging the flow of foreign investment into South Africa by ensuring certainty with regard to taxation on income from such investments. Trade links between New Zealand and South Africa will also be facilitated by this agreement.
In addition to meeting with Minister Essop Pahad, Minister in the Office of the President and Deputy Minister Cheryl Gilwald, Deputy Minister of Justice, Minister Goff will use the opportunity to officially launch New Zealand’s two new honorary consuls in Durban and Cape Town respectively.
Minister Goff will also visit a number of New Zealand Overseas Development Aid projects in both the Johannesburg area and Durban which provide assistance to institutions working to care for those suffering from HIV/Aids, the rehabilitation of schools and upgrading of school equipment, teaching disadvantaged women income generating crafts, youth development training, life skills and sport development.
Whilst in the Southern African region, Minister Goff will pay visits to Mozambique and Botswana.
For more information, contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853