Commission
4 July 2007
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today, 4 July
2007, depart from Accra, Ghana for Minsk, Belarus for bilateral discussions and
the launch of the South Africa�Belarus Joint Intergovernmental Committee on
trade and economic co-operation (ITEC) scheduled for Thursday to Saturday, 5 to
7 July 2007. Minister Dlamini Zuma will be hosted by her Belarusian counterpart
Foreign Minister Sergei Nikolayevich Martynov.
Minister Dlamini Zuma, accompanied by Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy
Minister Rob Davies, will visit Belarus within the context of South Africa's
commitment to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations
with Belarus.
Minister Dlamini Zuma was in Accra, Ghana where she provided support to
President Thabo Mbeki during the African Union Heads of State and Government
summit from Sunday to Tuesday, 1 to 3 July 2007.
Bilateral discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Sergei Martynov are
expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between
both countries including areas of future engagement and co-operation
* Belarusian support for the promotion of the African agenda
* nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament
* the conflict in the Middle East
* co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the
United Nations and the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
The South Africa�Belarus ITEC was signed into law in August 2006 and will be
launched in Minsk on Thursday, 5 July 2007.
The ITEC consists of the following sub-committees: Minerals and Energy,
Science and Technology and Trade, Investment and Banking. These committees will
investigate further areas of co-operation between both countries.
During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma will on Friday, 6 July 2007, receive
the award of Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University.
While in Belarus, Minister Dlamini Zuma is also expected to pay a courtesy
call on President Aleksander Lukashenko, meet with the Chairperson of the House
of Representatives of the National Assembly, and the Deputy Chairperson of the
"Belarusian Women's Union."
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday, 8
July 2007.
Bilateral economic relations
The potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa
remains significant, and has, and still could present South African businesses
with excellent opportunities.
Current bilateral trade as per Belarusian 2006 statistics is $15 million.
South African imports of potassium fertilisers (main import), refrigerators,
flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts amount to $6 million. Belarus
also exports fully assembled low cost agricultural tractors and large dump
trucks for the mining industry. South African exports of diamonds, veneer
sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods amounted to $4
million.
Trade between South Africa (SA) and Belarus (all figures in ZAR)
All figures R' 000
Year: 2001
SA exports: 1 191
SA imports: 2 292
Total trade: 3 483
Year: 2002
SA exports: 1 841
SA imports: 6 260
Total trade: 8 101
Year: 2003
SA exports: 1 590
SA imports: 2 681
Total trade: 4 271
Year: 2004
SA exports: 2 410
SA imports: 20 246
Total trade: 22 656
Year: 2005
SA exports: 2 401
SA imports: 9 042
Total trade: 11 443
Year: 2006
SA exports: 2 806
SA imports: 12 315
Total trade: 15 121
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
4 July 2007
