2 July 2007
Premier Mbhazima Shilowa today welcomed the President of the Ile-de-France
region to discuss a continuing twinning agreement and areas of co-operation
between Gauteng and the Ile-de-France.
President Jean-Paul Huchon and a high-level delegation from his province are
visiting Gauteng to meet with members of the provincial Executive Council
(Exco) for discussions on strengthening the existing twinning agreement between
the two regions.
In terms of the agreement, the two regions co-operate on mutually beneficial
matters with a specific focus on the areas of public transport, economic
development, social services and health, education and professional training
and the environment.
Shilowa and Huchon signed a co-operation agreement in 2001 to strengthen the
bond of friendship and co-operation and the French delegation visited Gauteng
again in 2003.
Shilowa said the meeting with the French delegation will be used to reflect
on how the agreement has worked over the past few years and discuss new
programmes in terms of sport, education and health.
"We still need to identify new programmes but it will not be a long list, as
it is usually difficult to monitor. We will view and discuss various
presentations from the Gauteng departments of sport, education and health,"
said Shilowa.
The Premier said the agreement was initially signed to establish how the two
regions can use mutual capacity in terms of skills, training, research and to
tap into resources.
President Huchon said they will use today to verify the agreement that was
first signed in 1997 and extended in 2001 and 2003 and to come forward with new
ideas for the extension of the declaration of co-operation.
"We are happy to discover new programmes and we want to learn from our
partners. Some of the problems in Gauteng are the same as in Paris like crime,
security and transport and we can learn from the Gauteng experience. We want to
increase contact with South Africa which is the engine of growth in Africa and
encourage trading between France and South Africa," said Huchon.
The Ile-de-France has Paris as its centre and is the most populated region
in France, boasting a high skills profile, efficient public transport and an
excellent telecommunications network.
The French delegation will visit various projects and institutions,
including the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication and the South African French
Chamber of Business (SAFCB) during their stay.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
2 July 2007
Source: SAPA
