17 March 2006
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Saturday,
18 March 2006, depart for Abidjan where she attended the International Working
Group Meeting on Côte d'Ivoire, for Niamey, Niger, where she will hold
bilateral political and economic discussions with her counterpart Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Co-operation and African Integration Achiatou Mindaoudou later
in the day.
Minister Dlamini Zumaâs visit to Niger comes within the context of South
Africa's commitment to strengthen bilateral relations with all African
countries as part of efforts aimed at consolidation of the African agenda.
Issues on the agenda of bilateral discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma
and Mindaoudou are expected to include, among others:
* The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries.
* The implementation of New Partnership for Africaâs Development (NEPAD);
* The progress in the consolidation of continental institutions to promote good
governance, peace, security and stability;
* A briefing on development in the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions; and
* Other issues of mutual interest.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to depart from Niger on Sunday, 19 March
2006.
South African exports to Niger:
2003: R64 million
2004: R30 million
2005: R36 million
South African imports from Niger
2003: R3 million
2004: R402 thousand
2005: R1,7 million
Niger is South Africa's tenth largest partner in West Africa in terms of
South Africa's total trade. In 2003, South Africa's total trade with Niger
amounted to ZAR 64 million. South Africa's imports form Niger in 2003 totalled
ZAR three million, indicative of the four modest industrial capacities. In
2004, South Africa's exports to Niger totalled ZAR 30.6 million, a significant
decrease from the export total of ZAR 64 million in 2003. South Africa's
imports from Niger amounted to ZAR 402 000 in 2004 marking a significant
decrease from the import total of ZAR 3 million in 2003. South Africa's exports
to Niger are predominantly manufactured articles, mechanical appliances,
chemical products, vehicles, etc.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued By: Ministry for Foreign Affairs
17 March 2006
Source: SAPA
