17 July 2007
Businesses in the Federal Republic of Russia have given a strong indication
of their willingness to establish direct trade and economic ties with South
African public and private companies.
The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs today said it was
making preparations to host a business exhibition at the Sandton Convention
Centre in Gauteng in November this year. The exhibition will assist in
strengthening co-operation between South Africa and Russia and in developing
cultural relations between the two countries.
This comes on the second day of the visit to Moscow by Gauteng Premier
Mbhazima Shilowa and a delegation of government and business
representatives.
Shilowa and the Governor of the Regional Government of Moscow, BV Gromov,
are scheduled to sign a protocol of intention on co-operation tomorrow,
Wednesday, 18 July 2007. Areas of co-operation include trade promotion,
tourism, small business development, e-governance, science and technology,
mineral beneficiation, sport development, visual arts, creative industries,
education exchange programmes as well as information communication technology
in schools.
The Regional Government of Moscow indicated an interest in strengthening
co-operation with Gauteng after a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to
South Africa in September last year.
The Premier has addressed two business meetings since his arrival in Moscow.
He said Gauteng was interested in promoting trade and investment between the
two regions, and strengthening education, skills and human resource
development.
"We are also interested in understanding how a country that has undergone
such political and economic transformation has sustained social development,"
said Shilowa.
He pointed out that it would be important for the Gauteng government to
learn how it could unleash the capacity of entrepreneurs, just as Moscow has
done, to grow the economy.
Shilowa said Gauteng was not merely an engine of the South African economy
but offered foreign investors an opportunity to penetrate the rest of the
African market.
For more information contact:
Simon Zwane
Office of the Premier
Cell: 082 551 9892
E-mail: Simon.Zwane@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
17 July 2007
