The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman will lead a South African delegation to Astana, Kazakhstan for bilateral discussions. The visit, scheduled for 22 to 24 May 2013, coincides with the V1 Astana Economic Forum.
During his visit, Deputy Minister Fransman will hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Sarybay, with a view to strengthen bilateral political and economic cooperation between South Africa and Kazakhstan.
It also is expected that the two Deputy Ministers will review the status of bilateral relations and exchange views on economic cooperation issues of common interest.
South Africa and the Kazakhstan enjoy cordial relations and have demonstrated this by holding structured Inter-Governmental Consultations chaired at Deputy Ministerial level and exchange of high-level visits during which substantive issues are discussed.
The second Inter-Governmental Consultations between South Africa and the Republic of Kazakhstan took place in Kazakhstan in May 2013 as a follow-up to the first full session of Inter-Governmental Consultations, held in Pretoria in May 2010.
Total trade between South Africa and the Kazakhstan has been fluctuating but remained in South Africa’s favour since 2009. It increased from R47 million in 2009 to R136 million in 2010; it dropped from R88 million in 2011 to R86 million in 2012. Exports increased from R45 million in 2009 to R101 million in 2010 compared to imports of R1 million in 2009 and R35 million in 2010.
For further information please contact:
Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
