International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Sue Van der Merwe will co-chair the sixth annual South Africa to Spain consultations with her Spanish counterpart, Mr Angel Lossada, Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on 2 November 2009 in Madrid.
Deputy Minister Van der Merwe will be accompanied by senior officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation as well as representatives from various other departments that have close cooperation with the Kingdom of Spain.
The visit takes place within the context of promoting north to south cooperation. The South Africa to Spain annual consultations serve as the main forum for bilateral exchanges between South Africa and Spain. It was established in terms of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in December 2000, which provides the legal framework for bilateral consultations and cooperation.
An inaugural meeting and five sessions of the annual consultations have been held since 2003, alternately in Spain and South Africa. The consultations, which are conducted at the level of deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, comprise both political discussions and consultations on technical and development cooperation between representatives of the respective government departments. This year’s consultations gain added significance in view of Spain’s term as Presidency of the European Union as from January 2010.
Currently several South African departments, which have cooperation programmes with Spain, are involved in these annual consultations with their Spanish counterparts; The Departments of Trade and Industry, Environmental Affairs, Tourism, Home Affairs and Arts and Culture, as well as National Treasury; which also serves to represent the Departments of Health, Governance and Traditional Affairs and Social Development.
During her visit to Spain Deputy Minister Van der Merwe will also pay a courtesy call on the Spanish Foreign Minister, Mr Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé, and have meetings with her counterparts in the Ministries of Commerce, of the Interior and of sport to discuss strengthened co-operation in these fields. She will also have a working breakfast with members of the Association of Chambers of Commerce and business leaders.
Economic relations
In 2008, South Africa’s exports to Spain totalled €1,6 (an increase of 8 percent on the 2007 figure). The Republic’s main exports were coal (€537), fish (€103m), fresh fruits (€51 million), iron and steel products (€183 million), ores and slag (€167 million). Spain is South Africa’s ninth most important export market.
Spanish exports to South Africa decreased in 2008. The most important products exported to South Africa were vehicles, parts and accessories (€197 million), nuclear reactors and related equipment (€68 million), electrical machinery and equipment (€45 million), pharmaceutical products (€35 million) and plastics and articles thereof (€27 million).
Bilateral trade (thousand euros)
Year: 2004
Imports from South Africa: 1 164 652
Annual growth: 24 percent
Exports to South Africa: 479 758
Annual growth: 30 percent
Total trade: 1 644 410
Annual growth: 25.9 percent
Year: 2005
Imports from South Africa: 1 257 237
Annual growth: eight percent
Exports to South Africa: 641 620
Annual growth: 34 percent
Total trade: 1 898 857
Annual growth: 16.5 percent
Year: 2006
Imports from South Africa: 1 351 155
Annual growth: seven percent
Exports to South Africa: 742 982
Annual growth: 16 percent
Total trade: 2 094 137
Annual growth: 10.3 percent
Year: 2007
Imports from South Africa: 1 484 564
Annual growth: nine percent
Exports to South Africa: 807 804
Annual growth: four percent
Total trade: 2 292 378
Annual growth: nine percent
Year: 2008
Imports from South Africa: 1 606 143
Annual growth: eight percent
Exports to South Africa: 648 332
Annual growth: -20 percent
Total trade: 2 254 465
Annual growth: -1.7 percent
For more information contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
30 October 2009
