The President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, will be attending the 25th Africa-France Summit to be held in Nice, France, from 31 May to 1 June 2010 under the broad theme of "Private Enterprise, a key player in development".
The summit is expected to focus on the sub-themes: "Africa's Role in Global Governance", "Strengthening Peace and Security Together" and "Climate and Development".
The president will be accompanied by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Trade and Industry, Minister Rob Davies.
The summit is expected to provide the South African government and the private sector with the opportunity to engage the French counterparts on key priority areas for Africa's socio-economic development, as well as identify opportunities for further collaboration.
President Zuma is scheduled to address Heads of State and government representatives on "Strengthening peace and security in Africa". Areas of focus to be discussed relate to peace and security on the African continent, the operation of the peace and security architecture, the challenge of insufficient technical and financial resources, coupled with skills shortages and the aspect of unconstitutional changes in government in Africa.
South Africa views the upcoming summit of strategic importance given the bilateral relations it has and is seeking to expand with France.
On the trade and investment side, it should be noted that total trade between South Africa and France had been increasing consistently from 2000 to 2004 where after it declined from R24,3 billion in 2004 to R21,9 billion in 2005, a percentage decrease of 9,9 percent.
Total trade started to increase again from 2006 and reached R31,6 billion in 2008. However, although trade figures for 2009 are only up to October, there was a huge decline in total trade to almost half of the total value of 2008 at R16,9 billion in 2009.
The huge decline in total trade in 2009 can be attributed to lower global demand for imports as a result of the global crisis in 2008 and 2009.
However, France remains an important trading partner for South Africa. The country is ranked 20th in the world as South Africa's export partner in 2009 (18th in 2008) and ninth as the country's import partner in the same year (10th in 2008).
At this stage, there are over 170 French owned companies or subsidiaries of French companies in South Africa, accounting for 25 000 jobs.
South African business entities that have confirmed their participation include Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Mobilitas-AGS and Group Five Limited.
Enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 072 715 0024
Source: The Presidency
