Thursday, October 17, 2002
Minister Omar's Visit To China Presents An Invaluable Opportunity For Firsthand Interaction With The Chinese Counterparts With Respect To Transport Policy
During his visit to China, the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar met with the Minister of Communication in Beijing on Wednesday, 16 October in order to form linkages of Co-operation between the two countries. The following issues were put on the agenda by the South African Transport sector delegation led by Minister Omar in Beijing on Wednesday, 16 October 2002. They are: Maritime Co-operation, bilateral Air Service Agreement, exchange of technical information and expertise, and information and expertise on non-motorised transport.
The Department of Transport is in the process of devising strategies and policies with respect to the challenges of Transport Funding and Public Transport subsidies. Moreover, the question of the role of Transport in Economic role advanced yet developing economy like China, with respect to interacting with the Chinese Technocrats on the above mentioned pertinent issues would undoubtedly add value to the Policy and Strategy process currently under attempting to provide practical solutions.
"There are several existing parallels between South Africa and China, which warrant for a closer examination of how the Chinese Transport System with respect to the challenges of Transport for Economic Growth, Transport Funding and Public Transport Subsidies can add value to the South African System in addressing these challenges", said Minister Omar on his departure.
China as an emerging economy is confronted by similar developmental challenges to that of South Africa. Furthermore, the local Spheres of Government provides for some insight with respect to the options, which exist for optimising the flows of Transport Funding within such systems. The Chinese economy is reportedly the fastest growing economy in the world, central this phenomenon is high inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which South Africa has at the heart of its Economic Growth Strategy. The observation of the linkages between China's Transport Strategy and its facilitation of FDI, and how its transport system is designed for economic growth is one of the exploration points of such a visit.
Minister Omar and his delegation comprising of Government officials and some of the stakeholders in the transport sector departed for China on 12 October and they will return on Saturday, 19 October 2002.