Yesterday's meeting between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Viktor Vladimirovich Sheiman, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Belarus on Cooperation with Africa, marked the beginning of an important relationship between South Africa and Belarus. The meeting was held in Pretoria.
South Africa is two weeks away from hosting the BRICS summit. This is the first time in the history of our country that South Africa forms part of a group of countries that are considered powerful based on the potential that we hold. The BRICS summit will not only be a convergence of heads of state but will be an important event in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries calendar as the who’s who of the sectors will be present to discuss the most pressing issues in relation to our industries.
Agriculture is very important to Belarus and it accounts for 7.8% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It also provides an important source of foreign exchange via a healthy export market. Belarus exports 40-60% of agricultural products produced in the country. Belarus is one of the leaders in the world in the export of new and meat products in the export of milk products. Belarus has achieved the full food security and is ready to share its experience in this regards with South Africans.
The two sides have established working groups in facilitating bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The aim of yesterday's meeting was to discuss further cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of Belarus would like to deepen relations with the Republic of South Africa by informing us of their potential in the agro industrial and scientific sectors and discuss cooperation in general.
The signing of the statement of intent paved the way towards discussing further cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of Belarus would like to deepened relations with South
Africa by sharing information on the potential in the agro-industrial and scientific sectors, and discuss cooperation in general.
Says Minister Joemat-Pettersson; "The signing of the statement of intent is just the beginning of an on-going process between South Africa and Belarus. We will inform South Africans on the progress of the negotiations and partnerships. We are confident that further discussions will identify key sectors and that new opportunities will be created for our farmers."
Since the beginning of the Minister's term, the Department has adopted a policy of creating links with non traditional partners.
There are countless opportunities for South African farmers in Eastern Europe, the rest of the African continent and in Central and South America. One of these opportunities lies in the import and exports of meat and dairy products to the Belarusians. At the moment, South Africa neither sends nor receives these products to or from Belarus.
The BRICS summit will expose the South Africa to the many opportunities that South Africa can take advantage of in the international arena. As South Africa faces the challenges of food insecurity, poverty and joblessness, opportunities such as today’s are a good indication of the level of faith that our partners in the world have for South African agriculture.
Enquiries:
Palesa Mokomele
Spokesperson for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Cell: 082 904 1908
