President Zuma arrives in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to attend the the 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and the DRC
President Jacob Zuma has this evening arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to attend the 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and the DRC.
The SA-DRC BNC was preceded by a ministerial meeting to be held on 15 October 2015 and a senior officials' meeting from 13 to 14 October 2015.
South Africa and the DRC maintain good diplomatic and political relations. The highest expression of the quality and significance of these diplomatic relations is the annual BNC co-chaired by the Heads of State. The BNC includes Commissions on Politics and Governance; Defence and Security; Economics, Finance and Infrastructure; and Humanitarian and Social Affairs.
During their official talks, the two Presidents will review a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
The two Presidents will further review progress made with the implementation of bilateral projects.
The two countries cooperate in several projects covering various fields, including security sector reform, infrastructure development, capacity and institutional building, humanitarian and social matters.
South Africa is the DRC's biggest supplier of foreign goods and services, providing more than 20% of the country's total imports. Bilateral trade increased from R11 billion in 2012 to R 13 billion in 2014.
The two Heads of State will also take the opportunity presented by the BNC to exchange views on the peace, security, stability and development on the Continent, paying particular focus in the Great Lakes Region.
President Zuma is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms N Mapisa-Nqakula; Minister of Trade and Industry Dr R Davies; Minister of Energy Ms T Joemat-Pettersson; Minister of Health Dr A Motsoaledi; Minister of Transport Ms D Peters; Minister of Police Mr N Nhleko; Minister of Public Service and Administration Adv N Ramatlhodi and Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr O Bapela.
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