Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim have arrived in Saudi Arabia to attend the fourth session of South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting scheduled to take place from 28-30 April 2012. The JEC is aimed at promoting trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Davies will co-chair the JEC with his counterpart Dr Twafeeq Al Rabeeah. Davies is accompanied by a delegation comprising government officials and business executives. The government officials will participate in the South Africa-Saudi Arabia JEC, whilst the business delegation will hold a Business Council meeting with their Saudi counterparts in addition to one on one meetings.
Davies says South Africa's main exports to Saudi are oranges, Iron ore, ferro-manganese and other machines and apparatus.
'Oranges, Iron ore had consistent growth over 4 year period, reflect 37, 08% total share of exports and showed 9, 35% annual growth in 2011. Iron ore showed an increase between 2010/2011, with total share of 37, 21% and annual growth of 609,61%'.
He added that mineral products (petroleum oil, oil from bituminous mineral crude) were ranked as the main imported product in South Africa throughout the years to 2011.
Deputy Minister Ebrahim will on the sideline of the JEC hold bilateral meetings with Minister of Defence, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and other senior government officials. The 3rd session of the Joint Economic Commission was held in 2009, South Africa.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
