T Mbeki to co-chair South Africa – Namibia Heads of the State Economic
Bilateral meeting, 11 Oct

10 October 2007

Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Thursday, 11 October
2007 co-chair, together with his Namibian counterpart President Hifikepunye
Pohamba, the South Africa – Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral meeting
at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

President Mbeki will co-chair this session of the South Africa – Namibia
Heads of State Economic Bilateral meeting within the context of consolidating
bilateral political, trade and economic relations with Namibia with a view to
advancing the African developmental agenda.

Accordingly, this session of the South Africa – Namibia Heads of State
Economic Bilateral meeting is expected to review:

* progress towards the hosting of the Namibia International Investors
conference in Namibia at the end of October 2007 that will aim to stimulate
domestic investment and attract foreign investment, showcase investment
projects in Namibia, promote and encourage regional integration and economic
development and facilitate an increase in trade between Namibia and other
economic regions globally
* transport and communication issues including:
* the finalisation of the Memorandum of Understanding on transport
co-operation
* martime co-operation
* civil aviation including an air services agreement
* energy issues including
* the Kudu Gas project
* the Orange River Hydro Power Station
* WestCor

* Environment and tourism issues including:
* the opening of border posts
* cross border tour operations
* science and technology issues including the Square Kilometre Array
* agricultural issues

President Pohamba will depart from South Africa on conclusion of the South
Africa – Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral meeting.

Media programme for South Africa – Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral
meeting

Thursday, 11 October 2007

9h30: Arrival of media ahead of opening session of South Africa – Namibia
Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street, Pretoria
(enter through Gate 9)

(Please RSVP)
(Please present press cards)

10h30: Arrival of President Pohamba
To be received by President Thabo Mbeki
Photo opportunity

Opening session of South Africa – Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral
Meeting
Media in attendance for photo opportunity and introductory remarks

11h45: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference on conclusion of
South Africa – Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street, Pretoria
(enter through Gate 9)

(Please RSVP)
(Please present press cards)

12h20: Joint press conference

For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
10 October 2007