the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg
26 August 2007
Pretoria: South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will on
Monday, 27 August 2007 host the Minister-President of the Federal State of
Baden-Wurttemberg Gunther H Oettinger for bilateral trade and economic
discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Minister-President
Oettinger will visit South Africa from Monday, 27 to 31 August 2007.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will host Minister-President Oettinger within
the context of South Africa's commitment to consolidate bilateral economic and
trade relations with Baden-W�rttemberg.
In this regard, Germany has made substantial new investments into the South
African economy since the 1994 democratic elections and remains one of our
country's most important trading partners. German commitments towards
development in South Africa so far amount to approximately Euro 262 million of
bilateral financial and technical assistance.
The visit to South Africa by Minister-President Oettinger follows a visit to
Baden-Wurttemberg by Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka in May 2007 and will
provide an opportunity for South Africa to discuss best practice experiences
with representatives of Baden-Wurttemberg in terms of small and medium sized
enterprise development, preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be hosted
by South Africa and co-operation between educational and academic institutions
of Baden-W�rttemberg and South Africa.
Baden-Wurttemberg is Germany's economically most successful region. It is
the centre of business operations of internationally renowned corporations such
as DaimlerChrysler, Porsche, Bosch, SAP, Zeiss and Wurth. Additionally the
state benefits from a powerful backbone of small and medium sized enterprises.
These businesses and a tradition of branching out into different industrial
sectors have ensured specialisation over a wide range. With 125 patents
registered per 100 000 residents, Baden-Wurttemberg is the number one region
for inventions in Germany and Europe. The statistical agency of the European
Union (EU) has confirmed Baden-Wurttemberg as the centre of Europe's
high-technology industry.
In addition, numerous enterprises of Baden-Wurttemberg have over many years
maintained intensive economic relations with South Africa. In 2006 alone South
Africa imported goods from Baden-Wurttemberg valued at �1,3 Billion. At
present, approximately 15 000 South Africans are employed by numerous companies
originating in Baden-W�rttemberg, such as Daimler-Chrysler, Robert Bosch,
Lapple, Lapp-Cable, Voith Turbo and Festo, to name a few.
Minister-President Oettinger is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on
President Mbeki in Cape Town on Wednesday 29 August 2007.
While in South Africa, Minister-President Oettinger will have discussions
with Deputy Ministers of Trade and Education Rob Davies and Enver Surty
respectively. He will also meet with the Premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa,
the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Nosimo Balindlela, as well as government
representatives of the Western Cape and the Mayor of Cape Town, Helen
Zille.
Bilateral Economic Trade Relations
Rand in millions
Year: 2004
Germany exports: 20 391
Germany imports: 43 645
Trade deficit: 23 254
Year: 2005
Germany exports: 21 076
Germany imports: 49 197
Total deficit: 28 120
Year: 2006
Germany exports: 24 431
Germany imports: 53 892
Total deficit: 29 461
Media programme for visit to South Africa by Minister-President of the
Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg
Monday 27 to Friday 31 August 2007
Monday, 27 August 2007
11h00: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Minister-President
G�nther H Oettinger
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
12h00: Arrival of Minister-President Oettinger
Photo opportunity
Bilateral discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and
Minister-President Oettinger
Photo opportunity
12h00: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Deputy President
Mlambo-Ngcuka and Minister-President Oettinger
12h45: Joint press conference
For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
26 August 2007
