Mlambo-Ngcuka to Asia
26 April 2006
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka yesterday, 25 April 2006, completed
the second leg of her working visit to Asia that commenced on 19 April.
Aimed at communicating South Africaâs Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative (AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA), the visit started in Japan on 19 and 20 April and proceeded to
Indonesia on 21 to 25 April 2006.
The visit also aimed at consolidating and strengthening existing political
and economic relations between South Africa and the two countries.
In Japan, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka held fruitful discussions
with Prime Minister Koizumi and paid a courtesy call on crown Prince Naruhito
who is the eldest son of Emperor Akihito.
Discussions centred primarily on how the two countries could contribute to
the successful implementation of AsgiSA and JIPSA.
Some of the people and organisations the Deputy President also held talks
with included the:
* President of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) Sadako
Ogata.
* Chairperson of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Osamu
Watanabe.
* Governor of the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC);
* Vice-Chairperson of Toyota and South African honorary Consul to Japan Mr
Nakagawa; and
* Business executives from Keidanren (Japanese Chamber of Commerce).
In Indonesia the Deputy President had productive bilateral political and
economic discussions with her Indonesian counterpart Vice President Jusuf
Kalla. The meeting focused largely on the status of bilateral political and
economic relations between both countries; reflection on the New Africa-Asia
Strategic Plan (ASEAN) developments since April 2005 and the way forward in the
consolidation of economic relations between Africa and Asia; developments in
Africa including the consolidation of institutions of the African Union (AU),
co-operation between the Southern African Development Community (SADC); the
implementation of AsgiSA and JIPSA and suggested areas of co-operation between
both countries including mining, energy, telecommunications, infrastructure,
small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and tourism.
While in Indonesia, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also paid a
courtesy call on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presented a
lecture at the Indonesian Council of world affairs and held discussions with
the representatives of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(ICCI).
Accompanying the Deputy President were the Minister of Minerals and Energy
Lindiwe Hendricks and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Aziz Pahad, Deputy
Minister of Finance Mr Jabu Moleketi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mr
Rob Davies and Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs Ms Rejoice
Mabudafhasi.
The Deputy President views the visit as having been successful because all
the parties that she engaged with committed to partnering with South Africa in
ensuring that the challenge of skills acquisition is addressed promptly.
Some of the areas of joint collaboration that were agreed on include:
* Training of engineers;
* Training of artisans;
* Project management;
* Environmental management;
* Energy;
* City and urban/regional planning;
* Training of managers;
* Placement of under and post graduate trainees;
* Teaching of maths and science; and
* Language training.
Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will brief the media further on the outcomes of
this visit on Tuesday, 2 May 2006, at 11h00 at the Media Centre, Union
Buildings, East Wing.
Members of the media are invited and requested to RSVP with Manusha Pillai
at 082 389 3587.
Enquiries:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 781 9332
Issued by: The Presidency
26 April 2006
