Washington
3 December 2006
Pretoria: South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Foreign
Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will on Friday, 8 December 2006, hold
bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart from the
United States of America (USA), President George Bush, in Washington.
President Mbeki will hold consultations with President Bush within the
context of South Africa's priority to promote North-South co-operation in
support of the African agenda through, among others, the Group of 8 (G-8).
Discussions between Presidents Mbeki and Bush are expected to include, among
others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries
* conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa
* multilateral co-operation including developments in the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) negotiations, South Africa's accession to the non-permanent
seat in the United Nations Security Council
* other issues of international concern.
The economic relationship between the two countries remains strong with
continuing US interest in investment in South African industry and expanding
the trade relationship, which is currently in South Africa's favour. The US is
also focussing on stimulating economic growth and small, medium and
micro-enterprises (SMMEs) development through their US Agency for International
Development (USAID) programme.
Total trade is approaching R60 billion with an annual increase of
approximately 11%. South Africa has, in the past decade, been a major recipient
of development assistance from the USAID. Activities under USAID partnership
will in 2006 reach over 827 700 individuals with basic services and provide a
capital investment of R40 million.
President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Saturday, 9
December 2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
3 December 2006
