Consultative Mechanism
9 July 2007
Havana: South African Deputy Foreign minister Aziz Pahad, will on Tuesday,
10 July 2007, together with his Cuban counterpart Deputy Foreign Minister Bruno
Rodriguez co-chair the 5th session of the Joint Consultative Mechanism between
South Africa and Cuba, being held from Tuesday to Wednesday, 10 to 11 July
2007.
Meanwhile Deputy Finance Jabu Moleketi will, on Tuesday, 10 July 2007, hold
discussions with his counterpart Deputy Minister of Finance and Prices
Alejandro Gil Fernandez, First Deputy Minister of Tourism Alexis Trujillo
Morejon, and First Deputy President of the National Institute of Sport Roberto
Leon Richard.
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi are visiting Cuba within the context of
South Africa's commitment to consolidate bilateral political, economic and
trade relations with Cuba.
Cuba is one of South Africa's most important political partners in Latin
America and the Caribbean, with whom it has the strongest bilateral exchanges
in a variety of fields of socio-economic activity.
Cuba is also the current chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Issues on the agenda of this session of the Joint Consultative Mechanism are
expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between South
Africa and Cuba
* updates on the current situation in Cuba and South Africa
* perspectives on regional developments in Latin America and the Caribbean,
Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa
* areas of trilateral co-operation between South Africa and Cuba
* peace and security challenges in Africa
* developments within the Non Alignment Movement
* the comprehensive reform of the United Nations and South Africa's tenure of
the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
* progress towards the 2008 African Union Diaspora Conference to be hosted by
South Africa.
While in Cuba, Deputy Minister Pahad will also brief resident Africa and
Middle Eastern Ambassadors on 'Developments in Africa and the Middle East.'
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will depart from Cuba on Wednesday, 11
July 2007 for Panama.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Trade Figures: 2003
Exports to Cuba: R2 966 627
Imports from Cuba: R10 530 689
Trade Figures: 2004
Exports to Cuba: R2 320 000
Imports from Cuba: R14 170 000
Trade Figures: 2005b
Exports to Cuba: R3 539 000
Imports from Cuba: R16 640 000
Main exports products: Calcium, footwear, platinum and synthetic fibres.
Main import products: Vaccines for human medicines, cigars, other tobacco
products and rum.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 July 2007
