South Africa and Cuba bilateral and trade relations will be enhanced this week when Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies meet with the Cuban Deputy President, some Ministers and business people, in Cuba. Davies is in Cuba on an official visit and today will attend the opening of the 30th Havana International Fair and also officially open the South Africa Pavilion. He is accompanied by senior officials and the business delegation comprising of companies that will be exhibiting at the Havana International Fair.
Davies says that South Africa and Cuba share strong political relations.
‘Cuba is one of the countries that South Africa established diplomatic relations with in 1994 when the democratic government came into power. However, these strong political relations are not underpinned by robust economic relations. Of the 216 destinations for South Africa’s exports globally, Cuba ranked 83rd in 2011. Similarly, Cuba ranked 120th as a source of imports in the same period’, said Davies.
However, the Minister believes that an agreement he signed earlier this year with Cuban Ambassador to South Africa, to implement the R350 million Economic Assistance Package will go a long way in boosting economic relations. The Agreement was ratified by Parliament in September this year.
The package was offered to Cuba by President Jacob Zuma during the State visit to Cuba on 6 December 2010 and it is divided into three facilities.
Minister Davies says that Cuba has indicated that they would use R100 million grant to buy a raw material used for the manufacturing of water pipes and a South African company that manufacturers this product has been identified. Cuba has already tested the product in question.
From Cuba, Davies will proceed to Jamaica and Brazil.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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