South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will, on Thursday 4 June 2009 host the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al- Nahyan during his visit in Cape Town.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will meet Minister Al Nahyan within the context of strengthening bilateral political, economic and trade relations between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Bilateral political relations
South Africa enjoys positive bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates. Formal diplomatic relations were established during the visit by the former Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan to South Africa in 1994, which was followed by the opening of embassies in both capitals in 1995.
Relationships between the two countries are characterised by several high-level visits, a high level of trade and economic interaction, thrice-daily flights between Dubai and Johannesburg and a large South African expatriate community in the UAE. Both former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki visited the UAE.
Engagements between Ministers Nkoana-Mashabane and Al-Nahyan are likely to include, among others:
* The status of bilateral political and economic relations between the two countries
* Developments in Africa and South Africa
* Developments in the Middle East
* Support for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by South Africa.
Bilateral economic relations
South Africa and the UAE maintain a very strong economic relationship. The UAE is the 24th largest market for South African products. It is a major investor in South Africa, the largest investment being Dubai world’s acquisition of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. There are some 210 South African companies with representative offices in the UAE and many have been involved in major projects in several of the emirates.
Year: 2002
SA Exports: R1,763,628 billion
SA Imports: R710,479 million
Total Trade: R2,474,107 billion
Trade Balance: R1,053,149 billion
Year: 2003
SA Exports: R2,413,084 billion
SA Imports: R558,354 million
Total Trade: R2,971,438 billion
Trade Balance: R1,854,730 billion
Year: 2004
SA Exports: R2,463,193 billion
SA Imports: R702,822 million
Total Trade: R3,166,015 billion
Trade Balance R1,760,371 billion
Year: 2005
SA Exports: R2,924,949 billion
SA Imports: R2,620,053 billion
Total Trade: R5,545,002 billion
Trade Balance: R304,896 million
Year: 2006
SA Exports: R3,982,314 billion
SA Imports: R3,921,938 billion
Total Trade: R7,904,252 billion
Trade Balance: R60,377 million
Year: 2007
SA Exports: R5,629,815 billion
SA Imports: R4,884,988 billion
Total Trade: R10,541,803 billion
Trade Balance: R744,827 million
March 2008
SA Exports: R1,151,531 billion
SA Imports: R1,552,744 billion
Total Trade: R2,704,275 billion
Trade Balance: R-401,214 million
The United Arab Emirates and South Africa (SA) have enjoyed a close commercial relationship since 1994. Overall trade between the two countries has been growing each year. The UAE is one of South Africa's lucrative markets in the Gulf and current statistics show that trade between South Africa and the UAE, especially gold exports from South Africa, is gaining momentum. Apart from gold, South Africa is also a major exporter of steel to the emirates and South African construction, consultancy and service sectors are also playing a big role in the rapid development of the UAE.
Major South African exports to the UAE comprise base metals and allied products, steel for both construction and general engineering, machinery, electronics equipment, minerals; defence equipment; chemicals, plastic goods and foodstuff. In the reverse direction, the UAE exports to SA are oil-related products, machinery, transportation equipment, consumer electronics, home appliances, ball bearings, computer accessories and textiles.
Media programme for the visit of UAE Foreign Minister Al-Nahyan
Date: Thursday, 4 June 2009
Time: 17h30: Arrival of media ahead of meeting between Ministers Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Al-Nahyan
Venue: Minister’s office, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town
Enquiries:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 4593787
Photo opportunity
Time: 18h00 - Meeting between Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Al-Nahyan
Media in attendance for opening remarks
Arrival of media for joint press conference at the conclusion of discussions between Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Al-Nahyan
Venue: Minister’s office, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town
Enquiries: Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Time: 18h45 - Joint SA-UAE press conference
For more information contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
4 June 2009
