Relations Enhancement
Paris
11 October 2007
The Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has arrived in Paris, France for
an official visit to France. During her visit, starting today until 14 October,
the Deputy President is expected to hold bilateral discussions with her
counterpart French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and pay a courtesy call on
President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Deputy President, who is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van
der Merwe and Northern Cape Premier Dipuo Peters, will meet the Council of
French Investors in Africa and the Mouvement des Entreprises de France to
entice French business to further invest in South Africa. France counts among
South Africa's top 10 economic partners, with bilateral trade totalling some
R25 billion (about Euro 2,5 billion) in 2006.
France is an important investor in South Africa's economy and about 150
French companies, including multinationals such as Total, Alcatel, Renault,
Lafarge and Danone, are represented in South Africa. She will also meet with
the 20 Engineering Masters Students studying at the Area University in Paris
sponsored by Areva Company through the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills
Acquisition (Jipsa) programme.
The students will be here in France for two years undergoing an intensive
programme aimed at increasing the number of Project Managers in South
Africa.
Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka will also participate in the Third Edition of the Women's
Forum for the Economy and Society 2007 in Deauville. She will participate in a
plenary debate titled "Strengthening social cohesion, building trust: Some ways
ahead."
The Deputy President's visit to France comes within the context of South
Africa's efforts to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade
relations with France within the context of advancing North-South
co-operation.
South Africa and France enjoy cordial political relations characterised by
regular high-level dialogue, diverse bilateral cooperation programmes and
growing bilateral trade. In this regard, engagements between Deputy President
Mlambo-Ngcuka and the French government will seek to achieve:
* the strengthening of bilateral relations between South Africa and the new
French Government
* discuss the proposed visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy's to South Africa in
2008
* soliciting support from the new French administration for the African Agenda
through support for conflict-resolution on the continent and the promotion of
Social and economic development
* the improvement of trade and investment relations with France and the
European Union
* the forthcoming Africa-European Union Summit in Portugal
* review of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a move to enhance nation building and social cohesion, the Deputy
President will meet the national rugby team on Saturday to wish them luck for
forthcoming match on Sunday evening.
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Tel: 003 3673675764
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: The Presidency
11 October 2007
Source: The Presidency (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
