The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe on Thursday, 10 May 2012, concluded his visit to the Republic of Finland where he was leading a government delegation on a working visit.
The visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, and aimed to further strengthen bilateral, political and economic relations between the two Republics.
While in Finland, the Deputy President paid a courtesy call on President Sauli Niinisitö and met with business representatives and had official talks with the Prime Minister.
The Deputy President also delivered a lecture at the University of Finland under the theme "Enhencing Africa's Development Through Regional And Continental Integration”
The two governments discussed and agreed to partner in areas of water treatment and management, vocational training, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Marine Industry.
The Deputy President indicated that Finland would be a reliable partner in the areas discussed and have agreed to consolidate relations; particularly because South Africa has decided to establish a Marine Industry and that South Africa had a considerable number of youth who need vocational training and Finland has perfected its systems in these areas.
The Deputy President described South Africa as a water scares country that could also learn from Finland on areas of water treatment and preservation hence the agreement to partner in this area.
The Deputy President described Finland as being at the cutting edge when it comes to technology and therefore, South Africa would learn a lot from it in this regard.
The Deputy President invited Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen to lead a high level Finnish government and business delegation on a working visit to South Africa later this year.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Ministers Naledi Pandor of Science and Technology and Edna Molewa of Water and Environmental Affairs and senior government officials.
For more information please contact:
Thabo Masebe: Spokesperson to the Deputy President
Cell: 082 410 8087
