The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, will host his Belarusian counterpart, Mr Sergei Aleinik, on a Political Consultation scheduled to take place in Cape Town on Wednesday, 26 October 2011.
The Political Consultation is in line with the protocol signed by the two countries in October 2000, with the First Political Consultations taking place in April 2002 and the latest in September 2008.
During the bilateral meeting, the two Deputy Ministers will review the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between South Africa and Belarus, including areas of future engagement and cooperation such as the promotion of the African Agenda, the situation in the Middle East, South Africa’s hosting of COP17/CMP7 as well as cooperation in multilateral fora.
During his working visit to South Africa, Deputy Minister Aleinik will also participate in the Second Session of South Africa–Belarus Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) on 27 October 2011 in Pretoria. The SA-Belarus ITEC Agreement was signed in August 2006 and the First Session of the ITEC was held in Minsk, Belarus, in July 2007.
The ITEC consists of the following sub-committees: Minerals, Energy, Education, Science and Technology and Trade, Investment Promotion Activities. These committees will investigate further areas of cooperation between both countries.
The potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa remains significant and could present South African businesses with excellent opportunities in the areas of automotive and agro-processing.
Statement by Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
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