Jakaya Kikwete
5 April 2006
Tshwane - South African President Thabo Mbeki will host his Tanzanian
counterpart, President Jakaya Kikwete, for bilateral political and economic
discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane on Friday, 7 April
2006.
Newly elected President Kikwete will pay a working visit to South Africa as
part of his efforts to consolidate relations with countries in the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) region. In this regard, he will visit
South Africa following a visit to Botswana.
Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad said, "the South African government welcomes the
visit since Tanzania plays a major role in SADC, East Africa and the African
Union (AU). Tanzania is fast becoming one of Africa's success stories."
"Tanzania is also very active in the Great Lakes region and the South
African government will fully support their initiatives to get the
Paliphutu-FNL to join the process. This visit will also present us with an
opportunity to review the challenges in the region and how we can alleviate
them to ensure movement towards peace and stability."
"South African relations with Tanzanian are governed through two fora - the
Binational Commission headed by Foreign Affairs and consisting of other
departments and the most importantly, the Presidential Economic Commission
headed by the respective Presidents."
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Presidents Mbeki and Kikwete are
expected to include, among others:
* The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries including progress made through the establishment of the Presidential
Economic Commission in September 2005;
* Developments within the SADC region;
* Developments in the Great Lakes region in which both South Africa and
Tanzania play a significant role;
* Other multilateral issues of mutual concern including the comprehensive
reform of the United Nations (UN) and developments in the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) talks.
President Kikwete will conclude his visit to South Africa ahead of his visit
to Lesotho.
Trade/Investment/Economic co-operation
South African Exports (Rand '000)
* 1997: 901,499
* 1998: 1,035,122
* 1999: 1,049,032
* 2000: 1,326,833
* 2001: 1,526,816
* 2002: 2,016,760
* 2003: ,887,931
* 2004: 2,268,560
South African Imports (Rand '000)
* 1997: 19,999
* 1998: 26,755
* 1999: 25,814
* 2000: 24,678
* 2001: 38,225
* 2002: 95,422
* 2003: 136,671
* 2004: 206,759
Source: DTI, 2005
South Africa ranks fourth on the list of foreign investors and accounts for
10 percent of the total investment in Tanzania.
One hundred South African companies are economically active in Tanzania,
which is rated as a premier investment destination for South African business
people. South African exports to Tanzania are predominantly in the spheres of
manufacturing, i.e., machinery, mechanical appliances, paper, rubber products,
vehicles, iron and steel and services and technology.
South African Companies in Tanzania
* Ilovo/Kilombero Sugar
* Siemans Ltd
* Vodacom (T) Ltd
* African Life Assurance
* Engen Petroleum
* Nampak Tanzania Ltd
The positive progress recorded by the Tanzanian government in promoting
Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address the development challenges facing
Tanzania, furthermore provides myriad opportunities for South African investors
to strategically position themselves in the region, by forging mutually
beneficial joint venture partnerships with Tanzanian stakeholders.
The Presidential Economic Commission inaugurated in September 2005 provides
the necessary co-operative framework to manage the development and
implementation of bilateral projects as well as the Spatial Development
Initiatives (SDIs) Programme, in particular the Mtwara and Central Development
Corridors, which have been identified as regional New Partnership for Africaâs
Development (NEPAD) priority programmes. The Presidential Economic Commission
would further serve as an enabling instrument in support of regional NEPAD
programmes and in particular, assist the process of accelerating regional
economic integration by way of strengthening the East African Community (EAC)
as a building block to address the challenges posed by poverty and
underdevelopment.
Media Programme for working visit to South Africa by Tanzanian President
Jakaya Kikwete
Friday, 7 April 2006
13h30: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and Tanzanian President Jakaya
Kikwete
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9),
Tshwane
Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587, David Hlabane on 082 561 9428
14h30: Arrival of Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, to be received by
President Thabo Mbeki
Media in attendance
Bilateral discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and Tanzanian President
Jakaya Kikwete
15h15: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by President Thabo
Mbeki and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9),
Tshwane
Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587, David Hlabane on 082 561 9428
16h15: Joint press conference
Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 April 2006
Source: SAPA
