The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has arrived in the United Kingdom to co-chair the 11th session of the South Africa – United Kingdom Bilateral Forum with the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right Philip Hammond in London on 19 October 2015.
The Bilateral Forum seeks to enhance and strengthen political, global and economic relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom in various spheres. During the Forum the following Working Groups will meet to discuss progress on the implementation of South Africa-UK Strategy which was signed in 2013.
The Working Groups (WGs) comprise (i) Foreign Policy; (ii) Economic; (iii) Science and Innovation; (iv) Agriculture, Water & Environment; (v) Social and Technical; (vi) Education; (vii) Defence; and (viii) Migration and Security. The Working Groups held separate meetings and the Co-Chairs of each WG will report to the Principals during the Plenary of the Bilateral Forum.
UK is the largest source of Foreign Direct Investments into South Africa, worth R772 billion. There are approximately 115 British companies active in South Africa and they have created close to 20 000 jobs in the period January 2008 to April 2014. The UK also remains the largest destination for South African exports in Europe, worth R37.6 billion. Imports from the UK into South Africa stood at R35.5 billion in 2014. Total trade increased by 13.7% from 2013 to 2014.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is leading a delegation of Ministers consisting of the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, Minister of Small Business, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and Deputy Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Buti Manamela.
Enquiries:
Clayson Monyela
Cell: 082 884 5974
