Portugal
11 November 2006
Pretoria â South African Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, will
today Saturday, 11 November 2006, depart for Lisbon, Portugal, where she is
scheduled to pay an official visit from Sunday, 12 November to Tuesday, 14
November 2006. Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will be hosted by her
counterpart, Portuguese Prime Minister, José Sócrates.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's delegation will include Minister Naledi
Pandor and Deputy Ministers Aziz Pahad, Rob Davies, Ntombazana Botha and Roy
Padayachee.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's visit comes within the context of South
Africa's commitment to consolidate the African agenda, through among others,
North-South co-operation for improved trade and market access. In this regard,
Portugal will assume the Chairpersonship of the European Union (EU) from July
to December 2007.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka
and her counterpart are expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries
* the status of South Africa â EU relations
* a briefing on developments on the African continent including the outcomes of
the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and peacekeeping and conflict
resolution in Burundi, Somalia, Sudan and Côte d'Ivoire
* a briefing on developments within the EU
* other issues of mutual interest including South Africa's accession to the
Non-Permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council.
In Portugal Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will also pay a courtesy call on
President Cavaco Silva, the President of Parliament, Jaime Gama, and will
participate in a trade and investment seminar with Portuguese and South African
business persons.
Bilateral economic relations
The most important South African exports to Portugal are coal, steel
products, frozen fish, fresh fruit, fruit juices, vegetables, wood and granite.
According to the latest figures from the Portuguese Ministry of Economy, South
Africa is amongst the top eight countries with the biggest growth of exports to
Portugal during 2005, mostly due to coal imports. South African exports to
Portugal increased by 25,7% (according to the Department of Trade and Industry)
during 2005.
South Africa's main imports from Portugal are wood, cork, paper, ceramics,
machinery, food, minerals, metal and chemicals. In 2005, Portuguese exports to
South Africa registered a 19,7% decrease (Source: Department of Trade and
Industry).
Investment
South African investment in Portugal
The largest South African company operating in Portugal is the Abadare
Cables subsidiary Alcobre that manufactures cables for the telecommunications
industry.
The South African (SA) property company Homenet has an office in Lisbon.
SmartPac, a "smart card" company, has an agreement with the local company
Prism.
The South African company Netcare established a partnership with the
Portuguese private healthcare company, Private Hospitals of Portugal (HPP) on 2
August 2004.
In addition there are also a number of ostrich breeding companies that have
strong Southern African connections as well as various small importing and
exporting companies especially in the linen and curtaining industry.
Tsumeb (electronic protection systems and integrated network security
solutions) is manufacturing in Aveiro, in the north of Portugal.
Carrol Boyes opened its first European shop in Portugal (Cascais) during
June 2005.
Portuguese investment in South Africa
* Sonae
* Amorim
* Pestana Group
* Cimpor
* Construtora do Tâmega
* Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD)
* Banif
* BPI
* Banco Privado-BPP
* Bes Investimento
South Africa investment in Portugal (1 000 EUR)
2003: 791
2002: 516
2001: 2,060
Portuguese investment in SA (1 000 EUR)
2003: 3,963
2002: 9,645
2001: 3,378
South African trade with Portugal
2005
Exports to Portugal: R915,677 million
Imports from Portugal: R640,970 million
2004
Exports to Portugal: R727,349 million
Imports from Portugal: R797,746 million
2003
Exports to Portugal: R754,734 million
Imports from Portugal: R535,167 million
2002
Exports to Portugal: R1,010,756 million
Imports from Portugal:R594,523 million
2001
Exports to Portugal: R673,930 million
Imports from Portugal: R450,601 million
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
11 November 2006
