Mpahlwa, during Minister Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry
of the Sultanate of Oman visit to the Republic of South Africa, 19 to 24
November 2006
20 November 2006
His Excellency, Minister Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and
Industry of the Sultanate of Oman,
The Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr Al Ghatani,
Honourable ambassadors,
Dignitaries,
Business people of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of South
Africa,
Honourable guests and friends:
It is my greatest pleasure to welcome you to South Africa and to our home
here, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).
It is a true sentiment Minister, that needs to be frequently expressed that
your hospitality and good gestures during my last visit to Muscat remains
unparalleled. A phenomenal experience indeed, listening to stories told of the
connectedness of the African continent with the Omani peoples and their
history. Clearly we are of one umbilical cord. The influence you've had in the
Islands of Zanzibar and in return the influence that the Zanzibari people have
had in your development is further reason for us to strengthen the economic
relations between the peoples of the Sultanate of Oman and those of the
Republic of South Africa.
I must point out Minister, our sense of gratitude to the delegation that you
have brought with you as it very visibly shows the strong commitment to growing
and deepening our relationship.
South African economy
Indeed, the strength of the South African economy and the willingness of its
peoples to trade allow us to expand the levels of co-operation at all levels.
The economic growth currently being experienced allows for many more partners
and we think that Oman should be one of those.
It is a cause for celebration that already South Africa and Oman have
experienced an unprecedented growth in trade. The total trade in July 2006 was
R1,6 billion. Exports to Oman stood at R180 million in 2005 and imports were
R792 million. This in itself represented a 61 percent percentage growth in
exports and 151 percent percentage growth in imports from trading year 2003.
However, we must do much more in terms of trade and increasing investment
between our two countries.
In this regard we believe strongly that our two economies with their current
industrial bases could complement each other in many instances. South African
economy has been able to develop mining, agricultural sector (agro-processed
products), defence technologies, the security industry and others which could
be complemented with your knowledge in the hydrocarbon sector.
I think, Mr Minister, the sectors I have mentioned above have representation
from the private sector and are also informed that you will have meetings with
specific chief executive officers (CEOs) of companies that have invested in the
Greater Arabian Gulf region.
Investments
With respect to investment commitment that I wish to restate is that we are
continuously making it easier to invest in South Africa. It is government's
view that investing in South Africa should be a smooth process without any
unnecessary bureaucratic challenges and hindrances and the way we work with you
should reflect the spirit of promoting entrepreneurial enterprise.
Minister, we therefore welcome you as a partner in our growing economy. But
just as a date palm can never bear fruit without water our partnership will
only grow to the extent that we carefully and deliberately nurture this
relationship.
I am glad therefore to report on five immediate and concrete steps we are
taking to grow our partnership:
a) An agreement will be signed today that promotes trade and technical
co-operation between our countries i.e. "trade and technical co-operation
agreement". (I also want to urge officials to complete the legal processes
allowing us to sign the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments
agreement which is a very important agreement).
b) A trade / business mission will be led to your country in the forthcoming
year in February 2007.
c) I am informed that my colleague the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr N
Dlamini Zuma, intends visiting Oman in the coming year.
d) A series of investment seeking delegations very specific will also be in the
visiting Oman in the coming year.
e) The State President will lead a State mission in the coming year (2007).
Off course I hope very much that God willing, I will be able to participate
in some or all of these activities.
In conclusion Minister, I am informed that you will also be proceeding to
Cape Town and Durban. We are also informed that a series of engagements have
been arranged by our provincial member of the Executive Council (ExCo), Dr
Zweli Mkhize in KwaZulu-Natal. These are important cities in the life of the
South African economy, where you will experience different cultures and
landscapes and begin to experience the true diversity of our beautiful country
an experience I hope that will entrench your commitment and kind willingness to
partner us into the future.
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
20 November 2006
