17 March 2006
Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa returned on Thursday from a
week-long visit to the Gulf States of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. In Saudi
Arabia Minister Mpahlwa attended the second session of the South African-Saudi
Joint Economic Commission. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad
and the Deputy Minister of Defence Mluleki George accompanied him. The South
African delegation also comprised representatives from the departments of
Education, Defence, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and Minerals and Energy
as well a business people led by the Vice President of Chambers of Commerce
South Africa (Chamsa), Sam Buthelezi.
Minister Mpahlwa and his Saudi counter part Hashim Yamani issued a joint
communiqué at the end of the sitting of the commission. The two countries
formed three sub-committees aimed at ensuring that agreements reached during
the sitting of the commission were implemented expeditiously.
In Qatar, Minister Mpahlwa addressed a trade and investment seminar where he
emphasised the need for business people in South Africa and Qatar to forge
closer working relations and explore investment opportunities available in both
countries. The highlight of the seminar was the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MU) between Chamsa and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and
Industry. Minister Mpahlwa also held bilateral talks with the Qatari Minister
of Economy and Commerce Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Jassem Al Thani.
In the Sultanate State of Oman Minister Mpahlwa held bilateral talks with
Ministers of Oil and Gas, Commerce and Industry, Transport and
Telecommunications, Defence Affairs and Foreign Affairs.
Donavan Jacobs
External Communications
Tel: (012) 394 1641
Fax: (012) 394 2641
Cell: 082 751 1078
E-mail: DJacobs@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry for Trade and Industry
17 March 2006
