India
Pretoria - South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will today,
Saturday, 9 September 2006 depart for India where she will, at the invitation
of Indian Vice President Bhairan Singh Shekhawat, pay an official visit from
Saturday - Wednesday 9-13 September 2006
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's visit to India comes within the context of
South Africa's commitment to consolidate South-South relations for increased
market and trade access. South Africa and India share a strategic partnership
in developing the agenda of the South. Both countries are part of the strategic
trilateral forum with Brazil namely, India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA).
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will also during her visit to India promote
the objectives of South Africa's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA) and Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA) aimed at ensuring a shared and faster economic growth in South
Africa.
Issues on the agenda of discussions during the Deputy President's visit are
expected to include:
* co-operation between India and South Africa in terms of skills acquisition
and placement by expanding existing opportunities for young South African
trainees and unemployed graduates to gain experience in their specified fields
of interest
* expand training programmes between India and South Africa, specifically in
the fields of engineering, mathematics, science and vocational training
* co-operative projects for small industry development, particularly for the
benefit of rural women
* small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) development projects, specifically
in the fields of ceramics, jewellery manufacturing and textiles.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to pay courtesy calls on
President Abdul Kalam and Sonia Gandhi. Her programme in New Delhi and Mumbai
will include the delivery of the 5th annual Alfred Nzo Memorial lecture,
interaction with various captains of Indian industry, an address to Indian
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) on "Investment and Skills Transfers", a
presentation on AsgiSA and JIPSA and extensive meetings to further the goals of
the latter.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to return to South Africa on
Thursday, 14 September 2006.
Economic relations
Bilateral Trade - R million
Year: 2005
Imports: 7 030
Exports: 7 394
Total: 14 424
Year: 2004
Imports: 4 547
Exports: 3 713
Total: 8 260
Year: 2003
Imports: 3 126
Exports: 3 350
Total: 3 476
Year: 2002
Imports: 2 943
Exports: 4 037
Total: 6 980
The main Indian products exported to South Africa are: motorcars and
vehicles for the transport of goods, rice, medicaments, cotton yarn, finished
leather goods, machinery and instruments, handmade yarn fabrics, spices,
handicrafts and handmade carpets.
Main products imported from South Africa are chemicals, gold, silver, coal
and briquettes, iron and steel, inorganic and organic fertiliser, pulp and
waste paper, and precious and semi-precious stones.
Trade between South Africa and India continues to grow. In 2005, total
bilateral trade approached a level of R14,5 billion, with imports from India at
R7,02 billion and exports to India at R7,5 billion. India currently ranks as
South Africa's 13th most important export market and the 13th most important
import market.
The sheer size of the Indian economy (14th largest manufacturing economy in
the world) gives it an influential position in the global market in which South
Africa has a key interest. Since South Africa and India have similar
developmental challenges, their collective capacity in bargaining and voicing
concerns that affect their economies in international forums is made highly
effective. As a key emerging regional economy, India provides a platform for
the re-integration of the South African economy with that of South Asia.
Opportunities for closer co-operation in the following sectors have been
identified and form part of South Africa's trade development agenda in
India:
* capital equipment (construction and related infrastructure): South African
airports companies made a successful bid for the upgrading of the Mumbai
Airport. India has, furthermore, expressed interests in receiving assistance in
areas of electricity/power generation as well as mining technology
* agro-processed products: SA firms wish to share expertise in food processing
with India
* autos and components: TATA Motors has already established a presence in South
Africa and Mahindra Motors has also expressed interest in exporting vehicles to
South Africa
* services: engineering and financial services are increasingly attracting
attention
* information and communications technology (ICT): India's information and
communication technology prowess (software development) has attracted attention
and South Africa has begun to engage relevant firms. Tie-ups and memoranda of
understanding have been signed between the two nations. South Africa views
India's technical pool in ICT as holding promise for future co-operation
between the two countries. Co-operation in space technology offers further
opportunities
* science and technology: India's technical manpower pool has been noted as
providing impetus for closer co-operation with South Africa, especially in
software development. Other areas of assistance that have been identified are
Biopharma and Biotechnology
* Health: South Africa would like to learn more about the implementation of
traditional knowledge system development (institutionalising traditional
knowledge in medicines)
* SMME: Co-operation in SMME development, jewellery and between the two
countries' Councils for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRs) is
ongoing.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 September 2006
Source: SAPA
