with Venezuelan counterpart
22 November 2006
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will hold bilateral political and
economic discussions with his Venezuelan counterpart Vice Foreign Minister
Professor Reinaldo Bolivar at the Union Buildings on Thursday, 23 November
2006.
Deputy Minister Pahad will hold discussions with his Venezuelan counterpart
within the context of South Africa's commitment to promote South-South
co-operation and support for the developmental agenda of the South.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Vice
Minister Bolivar are expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries
* developments within Latin America and the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) regions
* other issues of mutual interest including South Africa's tenure as a
non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
While in South Africa Vice Minister Bolivar will also meet with
representatives of South African Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA),
visit the Kloof Mine and Living Gold, Apartheid Museum and Hector Peterson
Memorial.
Vice Minister Bolivar is expected to depart South Africa on Sunday, 26
November 2006.
Bilateral economic relations
In January 2006, Gold Fields purchased a Canadian-owned mining company,
Bolivar Gold, which had operations in the Venezuelan province of Bolivar. A
representative of Gold Fields, the Venezuelan Country Manager, is now
permanently based in Caracas.
Other areas in which South African exporters have shown an interest in the
Venezuelan market include:
* prefabricated housing
* pre-paid electricity meters.
With regard to the latter, 300 South African meters have been installed in a
Caracas Township. The opportunity now exists for further expansion in this
regard. The Venezuelan company African Terroir has, since 2003, been importing
South African wine which is available in most large supermarkets.
South African exports to Venezuela consisted mainly of Ferro-vanadium and
related products, followed by liqueurs. South African imports from Venezuela
consist mainly of oil.
Trade statistics:
SA Rands in millions (dti), March 2006
South African exports
* 2005: 107,002
* 2004: 105,216
* 2003: 30,871
* 2002: 109,665
South African imports
* 2005: 13,232
* 2004: 11,220
* 2003: 20,920
* 2002: 29,033
Total trade
* 2005: 127,922
* 2004: 134,249
* 2003: 44,103
* 2002: 120,885
Trade balance
* 2005: 98,445
* 2004: 86,082
* 2003: 76,183
* 2002: 17,639
Media programme for working visit to South Africa by Venezuelan Vice
Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor Reinaldo Bolivar
Thursday, 23 November 2006
15h00: Deputy Minister Pahad and Venezuelan Vice Minister Professor Reinaldo
Bolivar to hold bilateral political and economic discussions
15h15: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Deputy Minister
Pahad and Vice Minister Bolivar on conclusion of discussions
Venue: Media Centre Amphitheatre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
Parking on Government Avenue, please present press cards
15h45: Joint press conference
For further information contact Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 November 2006
