N Dlamini Zuma to co-host SA-Iran joint bilateral commission, 21 – 22
Aug

20 August 2006

Tshwane – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will
together with her Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Manoucher Motakki,
co-chair the South Africa-Iran Joint Bilateral Commission scheduled for Monday
– Tuesday, 21 – 22 August 2006, at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will co-chair this session of the SA-Iran JBC within
the context of South Africa’s commitment to promoting South-South Co-operation
with a view to consolidating the African Agenda. In this regard South Africa
has prioritised the promotion of South-South co-operation for increased market
access, trade and investment.

There has been a significant increase in bilateral trade since the 8th JBC
meeting held in Tehran, Iran in 2004. Iranian health professionals have been
contracted to augment South Africa’s own capacity in the sector, while South
African companies continue to benefit from major investments in Iran. These
include multimillion-dollar projects by Sasol and MTN.

In 2005, annual exports from South Africa to Iran amounted to R785.2 million
compared to R301.4 million in 2003 and R348.8 million in 2004. The trade
imbalance in Iran’s favour, however, remains high. Last year, South Africa
imported R14.3 billion from Iran, chief amongst which was oil, which means that
the current trade imbalance with Iran is R13.5 billion.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and
Mottaki are expected to include, amongst others:

* status of bilateral political and economic relations between the two
countries including further co-operation with respect to health services,
mining, science, arts, culture and sports
* South Africa’s Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiatives
* Iran’s nuclear programme
* current crisis in the Middle East
* the forthcoming meeting of the New African and Asian Strategic Partnership
scheduled for Durban
* close co-operation amongst the countries that constitute the Indian Ocean
Rim.

While in South Africa, Foreign Minister Mottaki is expected to hold further
discussions with Ministers Buyelwa Sonjica, Mandisi Mpahlwa and Mosibudi
Mangena. Minister Mottaki will also hold discussions with the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Sasol and attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional
Co-operation (IOR-ARC) working group of Heads of Missions resident in South
Africa. It is also expected that an agreement on co-operation between the
customs administrations of the two countries would be signed. Minister Mottaki
is expected to depart South Africa on Tuesday, 22 August 2006.

Media programme for 9th session of South Africa - Iran Joint Bilateral
Commission (SA-Iran JBC)

Monday, 21 August 2006
09h45: Arrival of media for photo opportunity and introductory remarks on
commencement of opening plenary of 9th South Africa – Iran Joint Bilateral
Commission
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria (please present press cards)
10h20: Opening remarks by Foreign Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and
Manoucher Motakki
Media in attendance for introductory remarks
Photo opportunity
11h30: Foreign Minister Motakki to hold discussions with Minister of Minerals
and Energy Bulelwa Sonjica
14h00: Foreign Minister Motakki to hold discussions with representatives of
Sasol
17h30: Foreign Minister Motakki to hold discussions with Minister of Trade and
Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa

Tuesday, 22 August 2006
08h30: Foreign Minister Motakki to hold discussions with Minister of Arts and
Culture Dr Pallo Jordan
09h15: Foreign Minister Motakki to attend a meeting of the IOR-ARC Working
Group of Heads of Mission resident in South Africa
10h00: Foreign Minister Motakki to hold discussions with Minister of Science
and Technology Mosibudi Mangena
11h15: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Ministers Dlamini
Zuma and Motakki on conclusion of the 9th South Africa – Iran Joint Bilateral
Commission
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria (please present press cards)
11h45: Joint press conference

For further information, please contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587

Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 August 2006