The Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor concluded her first bilateral meeting with the First Vice-Minister of Science, Technology and Environment of the Republic of Cuba, Dr Fernando Gonzalez Bermudez in Pretoria on 18 May 2009.
Dr Bermudez visited South Africa at the invitation of former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Mosibudi Mangena. South Africa signed the Science and Technology (S&T) Agreement with Cuba in 2001, which includes collaboration on research activities in biotechnology.
The signing of the agreement was followed by a number of exchange visits between the two countries, with the aim of sharing information on science and technology and clarifying areas of co-operation. The visit by Dr Bermudez to South Africa was therefore to strengthen the relations, and finalise the main topics for collaboration.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties agreeing on further collaborative work, specifically in the field of biotechnology (with focus on agriculture and drug development), climate change, renewable energy technologies, and nanotechnology.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
18 May 2009
