SA to advance Egyptian and Chile relations

Mbeki, Mubarak escalate bilateral relations

President Thabo Mbeki and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have increased the existing bilateral economic, trade and political relations between the two countries at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

President Mubarak, who is on a three-day official visit in South Africa, aims to look at additional ways to consolidate relations. Mubarak's visit is the first of its kind by an Egyptian President to South Africa since its democracy.

Other African issues on the table

President Mubarak said their consultations have touched upon a wide range of African issues including the current situation of peace and security on the continent as well as the role played by the two countries to enhance African interaction within the African Union and NEPAD.

“We reviewed many regional issues of common interest including the Middle East Peace process, the situation in Iraq, Iran's nuclear programme as well as the crisis of the world economy and its implications on food security in developing countries, particularly in Africa,” he told the media gathering.

Increased cooperation

Accordingly he said the discussions reiterated our mutual resolve to enhance our standing cooperation, increase investment, mining and energy, scientific research and technology as well as other priority fields of common interest.

The two leaders are expected to sign a number of agreements in the fields of tourism, science and technology and air service, petroleum, gas, civil service and training among others.

Other fields of interest

Having substantively consolidated political relations with Egypt in the past 14 years, attention was based on other sectors where the two nations can cooperate in.

In 2007 South Africa had a positive trade balance of R260,721,000 with Egypt.

South African exports to Egypt more than doubled in the same year, while imports declined significantly after an unusual high in 2006.

The main exports are mainly base metals, vehicles and chemicals, while imports from Egypt are textiles, stone, machinery and vegetable products.

SA, Chile to advance South-South relations

South Africa and Chile are to advance bilateral political, economic and trade relations at the 3rd Joint Consultative Mechanism.

South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will on Wednesday depart for Santiago, Chile where he is scheduled to co-chair, together with Under-Secretary Alberto van Klaveren, the forum between Chile and South Africa on Thursday, 31 July 2008.

This 3rd session of the Joint Consultative Mechanism seeks to add stature and profile to South Africa's relationship with Chile while expanding the good bilateral relations which already exist in a number of fields, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

Current investments

South African investments in Chile are estimated by the Chile-South African Chamber of Commerce to be between $6-8 billion, in mining; leisure and entertainment; aquaculture, food production; and the wine industry.

Trade relations between the both countries amounts to approximately $150 million a year.

South African companies regularly participate in large international trade shows in Chile, such as EXPOMIN and EXPONORD (mining); FIDAE (aviation); and EXPONAVAL (naval).

On a smaller scale, trade shows specialising in such industries as tourism, wine-making, food production, transport, and forestry are also attended by South African companies.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews