8 October 2002
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, having completed a three day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will depart for Oman later today, Tuesday, 8th October 2002.
While in Oman, the Deputy Minister will meet with prominent representatives of the Omani Government - viz, the Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yousef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamoud; Dr Khamis Al-Alawi, Minister of Municipalities and Environment; Salim Bin Hilal Al-Khalili, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries; and Ahmed Bin Maki, Minister of National Economy with whom the Prevention of Double Taxation Agreement will be signed.
The Deputy Minister will discuss political and bilateral relations between Oman and South Africa.
The importance of South Africa's relationship with Oman is illustrated by the fact that the first Mission will be inaugurated in November 2002. Mr Pahad will also visit the premises that will house the new South African Mission.
During consultations with representatives of the Omani Government, the Deputy Minister will seek to get an understanding of the Government's position to the conflict in the Middle East and the threat of war on Iraq.
Representatives of the Government will be briefed on the recently inaugurated African Union and the possibilities for partnerships to support NEPAD.
Since the value of total two-way trade between South Africa and Oman totalled R267,9 million in 2001 the Deputy Minister will use his visit to Oman to further explore the economic links between the countries and the opportunities to increase foreign direct investment to South Africa.
Deputy Minister Pahad will also meet with representatives of the private sector to encourage greater co-operation between parastatals and the private sector of both the Omani and South African Government and explore ways to enhance this co-operation.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Background
SULTANATE OF OMAN
Country Comparison
Republic of South Africa - Sultanate of Oman
President/Head of State
Mr Thabo Mbeki (1999) - Sultan Qaboos bin Said
Area
1 219 912 square kilometers - 309 500 square kilometers
Land Use
12 700 square kilometers irrigated - .20% (1997)
Population
43 421 021 (June 2000) - 2.4 million (2000)
Literacy
81, 8% (1995) - 67. 1 % (1997)
Expatriate communities/Ethnic groups
Black (75,2%), White (13,6%) Coloured (8.6%) Indian (2.6%) -
Religion
Christian (68%), Muslim (2%) Hindu (1.5%) Traditional and animistic (28.5%) - Sunni Islam
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu - Arabic (official) English (used widely)
Gross domestic product
US$ 296, 1 Billion (1999) - US$ 16.3 billion (2000)
GDP growth
0.6% (1999) - 3.6% (1998)
GDP per capita
US$ 6 900 (1999) - US$ 7076 (2000)
GDP composition
Agriculture: 5 %
Industry : 35%
Services : 60 %
Agriculture 3.4%
Industry 52.6%
Services 44.0%
Inflation
5.5 % (1999) - 1.5% (1998)
Unemployment
30% (1999) - 34 523 (2000)
Exports
US$ 28 billion (1999) - US$ 4.4 billion (1999)
Imports
US$ 26 billion (1999) - US$ 5.1 billion (1999)
External debt
US$ 25.7 billion (1999) - US$ 3.6 billion (1997)
Economic aid
US$ 676.3 million -
Currency
US$ 1=3D R 7 - US$ 1 =3D OR .38
Bilateral Trade in ZAR Millions
Imports from - Exports to
1994 = 0,6 - 33,7
1995 = 44,2 - 207,5
1996 = 32,5 - 190,4
1997 = 139,5 - 26,2
1998 = 1,3 - 22,7
1999 = 54,3 - 13,8
2000 = 1,0 - 54,3
2001 = 217,3 - 50,6
History of Relations Between South Africa and Oman
South Africa and Oman established diplomatic relations in October 1995. No resident diplomatic missions have however been established as yet. The previous South African Ambassador in Riyadh, Dr Samuel Motsuenyane was accredited to Oman on a non-residential basis from 1997 until August 2000.
The most recent high profile visit to Oman was that of former President Nelson Mandela in April 1999. The Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Thoko Didiza (then Deputy Minister) paid a visit to Oman in December 1998. A technical visit took place in April 1999, subsequent to President Mandela's visit.
South Africa's policy objectives towards Oman are based on trade promotion. Oman is further a source of investments and tourism for South Africa. Oman has also been identified as a viable source of funds for the poverty alleviation aims of the NEPAD.
South Africa will open its first Embassy in Muscat, Oman during November 2003.
SADC-GCC Cooperation
South Africa and its SADC partners want to initiate a cooperation partnership with the GCC countries to improve economic, technological, political and cultural exchanges between the two regions. Oman could play an important role in facilitating this initiative
Improvement of two-way trade.
Trade between Oman and South Africa has recently taken off in a meaningful way. The value of total two-way trade between the two countries was R 267,9 million in 2001. Oman investments in South Africa however, have not reached optimal levels.