On Tuesday, 3 May 2011 the Premier of Limpopo, Mr Cassel Mathale will receive a high powered delegation from the Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) led by the Ambassador of Argentina, His Excellency Carlos Sersale di Cerisano in his capacity as the dean of GRULAC in South Africa.
The one day visit by GRULAC delegation in Limpopo follows Premier Mathale’s acceptance of a request for a high level meeting with the provincial government made by Ambassador Cerisano.
During the meeting, the Limpopo Provincial Government will interact with GRULAC delegation on issues of mutual interest that include, among others, exploring new possibilities in areas such as commerce, technical and technological exchange, tourism, agriculture, industrial development,sport, arts and culture.
Premier Mathale will be joined by the Members of the Executive Council (MECs) who fall under the Economic Cluster and the representatives of both Universities of Limpopo and Venda during this occasion. On the other hand, the GRULAC delegation will comprise of High Commissioners and Ambassadors of countries that include Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Chile, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic.
The Limpopo Provincial Government has already made socio-political and economic relations with some provinces in countries that constitute GRULAC. For instance; a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Limpopo provincial government and the Holguin province of the Republic of Cuba. The MOU covers areas such as agriculture, sport, arts and culture, education and economic development.
“Subsequent to signing this MOU, the people of Limpopo have derived substantial benefits from Cuban professionals such as those who work as doctors in our hospitals. We send deserving students to train as doctors in Cuba on an annual basis and various departments of our provincial government are also assisted by Cuban engineers, artisans, electricians and architectures to deliver services to our people,” said Premier Cassel Mathale.
“Our country has made impressive strides in strengthening the south to south diplomatic relations. We have consummated our relations with India and Brazil through a multilateral forum called India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) and our ascendance to the forum of Brazil, Russia, India and China to form BRICS will definitely have profound economic spin-offs for our country. This will eventually assist us to, among others, create jobs for the people of Limpopo and make our provincial economy vibrant,” said Mathale.
NB. There will be a media briefing to outline the outcomes of the deliberations. It is scheduled as follows:
Venue: The Ranch Hotel
Time: 12h30
Date: 3 April 2011
Enquiries:
Tebatso Mabitsela
Cell: 072 263 0563
