Dr G W Koornhof (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:
What (a) opportunities have been created for South Africa as a result of his recent visits to Brazil, Russia, India and China and (b) contribution can South Africa make to the developing agenda in assisting to design a new world order? NO3904E
Reply:
(a) Brazil:
Many opportunities were created during our State Visit to Brazil last year.
The State visit served to strengthen the existing sound relations between the two countries. The reciprocal visit by His Excellency President Lula da Silva in July this year further cemented our relations.
The two countries have ongoing cooperation in the areas of, amongst others, social development, trade and industry, health, education, science and technology, governance and energy, to mention just a few.
The two countries also have in place a Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Cooperation in an effort to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers.
This will enable us to further reach our goals of opening the Brazilian market for better access for our products and services.
This speaks to our strategic priority of creating better quality lives and decent work through improved export opportunities.
The State Visit also allowed the two countries to take relations forward at the level of the India-Brazil-South Africa forum which enables us to advance South-South cooperation.
During the two visits we also undertook to make available to Brazil, any assistance relating to expertise gained during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, as they will be hosting the tournament in the year 2014.
Russia:
The visit to the Russian Federation put a strong emphasis on bilateral cooperation as well as economic and trade issues.
We discussed and agreed to develop concrete joint ventures, particularly in the energy, mining and agriculture sectors.
Amongst key issues addressed were access for South African meat products to the Russian market, Russian anti-dumping penalties on South African steel exports and other trade matters.
Some of the agreements signed included an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic, official and service passports to promote people-to-people cooperation and cooperation amongst the space agencies of the two countries.
There was also the signing of a contract between Eskom and Tenex to supply nuclear fuel to South Africa, which contributes to the imperative of a reliable and stable energy supply. The visit also focused on international development issues such as meeting the Millennium Development Goals, the reform of the global financial architecture, and South Africa's wish to join the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) formation.
China:
During our State Visit to China, the two countries co-signed the Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Vice-President of China, Mr Xi Jinping, was hosted by our Deputy President the Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe this week, an indication of the strong ties between the two countries.
This week's visit served to concretise and put into action many of the agreements reached during the August state visit, using the South Africa-China binational commission as a mechanism.
During our visit to China we agreed to focus on working towards more balanced trade.
The two countries also undertook to provide mutual technical support in the areas of the green economy, skills development and industrial financing.
Sixteen private sector contracts were also signed between local and Chinese companies.
The private sector of both countries was encouraged to explore cooperation opportunities in infrastructure construction projects such as roads, railways, ports, power generation, airports and housing.
China has also committed itself to support the North-South infrastructure development corridor, within the NEPAD context, which South Africa is championing.
The visit was also used to coordinate and align the positions of South Africa and China on international issues, particularly with regard to the G20, Climate Change, reform of the United Nations system and the Brazil-Russia-India and China forum.
India:
The 16th of November marked the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian community in the country, which was the beginning of the strong ties between India and South Africa.
The state visit to India succeeded in further strengthening the strong bilateral relationship that both countries share, at cultural, economic, political and social levels.
The two countries agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade to at least 12 billion US dollars per annum by 2012.
The business forum of the two countries met in Johannesburg recently following the state visit, taking forward the agreements reached at the level of trade relations.
The two countries will also cooperate on education and skills development, which bodes well for South Africa's human resource development needs.
(b)
South Africa is working closely within the African Union and the IBSA Forum (India, Brazil and South Africa) to promote a new world order, and to ensure that the voice of the developing world is heard and carries weight with regards to development issues.
The world we live in today has changed significantly since the end of the Cold War. The countries of the South such as Brazil, India and China are rising and are challenging the global economic landscape.
We want to take advantage of these new developments, while also working to enhance existing relations the developed North, the European Union (EU), United States and other regions.
We also use international forums to promote the reform of international financial institutions to ensure the participation of Africa and the developing world in decision making.
We also work towards more equitable trade relations in the world, hence the call for the Doha round to be concluded in a manner that enhances development and which does not perpetuate global inequalities.
I thank you.
Source: The Presidency
