Conakry Joint Commission
22 November 2006
Pretoria: South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will
co-chair the inaugural session of the SA-Guinea Joint Commission of
Co-operation (JCC) at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria, together with Foreign
Minister of the Republic of Guinea, Mamady Conde, scheduled from Thursday, 23
November to Friday, 24 November 2006.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will co-chair this inaugural JCC within the context of
South Africa's commitment to strengthen and consolidate political, economic,
trade and cultural links with all African countries.
The SA-Guinea JCC is expected to discuss and evaluate:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries
* opportunities for co-operation with in the communications, transport,
education, minerals and energy and trade and industry sectors
* other opportunities for the consolidation of bilateral political and economic
relations between both countries.
Minister Conde is expected to depart from South Africa on Saturday, 25
November 2006.
Economic bilateral relations
Significant opportunity exists for South Africa to promote co-operation with
Guinea in the agricultural and mining sectors. There is a heavy concentration
of mining activity in the Guinea. The country possesses over 30% of the world's
bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer
internationally.
Other forms of co-operation that may be explored would focus on science and
technology with the aim of assisting Guinea to improve its agricultural and
mining methods. At least 80% of Guinea's labour work force is engaged in
agriculture, mostly subsistence.
Agriculture contributes around 25% to Guinea's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In terms of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) objectives for the
promotion of development, South Africa could assist Guinea through sharing its
technological and agricultural expertise and the overall need to upgrade the
basic techniques employed by Guinea's agricultural and mining industries.
South Africa is internationally regarded as having a sophisticated
infrastructure and communications sector. This is another possible area of
co-operation i.e. assisting Guinea in improving its transport infrastructure
and networks as well as its communication systems. There could be a potential
for tourism in Guinea.
Other than bauxite, Guinea has some reserves of iron ore, diamonds, gold and
uranium.
South Africa's trade with Guinea is mainly dominated by South African mining
companies operating in the country, such as Randgold, De Beers and Billiton.
Guinea imports brick and roof tile manufacturing machines from South Africa.
Anglo-Gold Ashanti, a South African joint venture company with Ashanti from the
Republic of Ghana, which is also the world's largest gold miner, is also
involved in mining activities in the country.
South African exports to Guinea
2003: R333 million
2004: R282 million
2005: R236 million
South African imports from Guinea
2003: R5 million
2004: R10 million
2005: R11 million
Media programme for inaugural session of the SA-Guinea Conakry Joint
Bilateral Commission (JBC)
Thursday, 23 November 2006
09h30: Arrival of media for photo opportunity and introductory remarks on
commencement of opening plenary of inaugural SA-Guinea Conakry JBC
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Church Street, Pretoria
(Parking for own cost)
Please present press cards.
Contact: Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
10h00: Opening remarks by Foreign Ministers, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and
Mamady Conde
Media in attendance for introductory remarks
Photo opportunity
Friday, 24 November 2006
10h30: Arrival of media ahead of closing plenary of the inaugural SA-Guinea
Conakry JBC
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Church Street, Pretoria
(Parking for own cost)
Please present press cards.
Contact: Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
11h00: Closing remarks by Minister Mamady Conde
Closing remarks by Minister Dlamini Zuma
Signing ceremony
Joint press conference
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 November 2006
