12 February 2009
Pretoria: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on
Friday, 13 February 2009, host the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Ivailo Kalfin for bilateral political, economic and trade discussions
at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Kalfin will arrive in South Africa on Thursday, 12 February 2009,
where he will pay his first three day official visit to South Africa.
Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will host her counterpart within
the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate bilateral political,
economic and trade relations with the European Union of which Bulgaria is a new
member, with a view to strengthening North-South co-operation.
Accordingly, issues on the agenda of discussions between Foreign Ministers
Dlamini Zuma and Kalfin are expected to include, among others:
* The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the
two countries.
* Bulgarian support for the consolidation of the African agenda including
perspectives on Bulgaria's new Africa policy.
* A briefing on developments within Africa with specific reference to recent
developments in Zimbabwe
* The comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
* Developments in the Balkans.
* Developments within the Middle East.
While in South Africa Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kalfin will
also hold discussions with the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Rob
Davies. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kalfin will depart from
South Africa on Sunday, 15 February 2009.
Bilateral economic relations
Trade between South Africa and Bulgaria has grown steadily over the years.
Both sides should however explore ways to compliment each other in the economic
field. Following the accession of Bulgaria to the EU in 2007, the entering into
effect of the Trade Development Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) is expected to
stimulate bilateral trade between the counties. In terms of the TDCA a Joint
Council of Economic consultations should be established with the aim of
strengthening of bilateral trade.
Bilateral trade amounted to approximately R183 861 million, with the trade
balance in favour of South Africa during 2007. The sharp increase in trade
during 2006 and 2007 was mainly due to the increased exports of coal to
Bulgaria.
South African trade for the period 2005 to 2007 (R'000)
Year: 2005
Import: 39 536
Exports: 26 817
Trade balance: -35,216
Total trade: 66 353
Annual growth%:+28%
Year: 2006
Import: 75 853
Exports: 40 490
Trade balance: 42,835
Total trade: 116 343
Annual growth%:+75%
Year: 2007
Import: 70 549
Exports: 113 312
Trade balance: 240 718
Total trade: 183 861
Annual growth%:+58%
Year: 2008
Import: 8,862
Exports: 33,030
Trade balance: 24,168
Total trade: 41 892
(Jan to March 2008)
Main exports to Bulgaria include mineral products, wool, citrus and
deciduous fruit, tobacco, granite, plaster and cement, chromium ores and
prepared foodstuffs.
Main imports from Bulgaria include chemical products, machinery and
mechanical appliances, automotive parts, vegetable products, prepared
foodstuffs, textiles and plastic articles.
There are also approximately five established importers of South African
wines in Bulgaria, mostly sourcing from wine makers in the Western Cape. More
importantly, the competitiveness of South African wines and their share of the
Bulgarian wine market is growing. Some of the importers of South African wine
are looking at introducing tours of the South African wine route as a new
product in the Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has identified the following sectors for possible cooperation with
South African companies: construction services (roads, railways, airports,
housing etc); tourism, including tourism infrastructure; the pharmaceutical
sector and energy.
Bulgaria is known for its expertise in the fields of science and technology.
It is proposed that the two countries explore possible areas of co-operation in
the electro-technical field (particularly software development) and skills
sharing within the framework of Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA) and Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition
(Jipsa).
Media programme for visit to South Africa by Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Ivailo Kalfin
Friday, 13 February 2009
08h30: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Ivailo Kalfin
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9),
Pretoria
Please RSVP: masangod@foreign.gov.za pillaim@foreign.gov.za
Please present press cards.
Contact: Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
David Masango
Cell: 084 502 2830
09h00: Minister Dlamini Zuma to received Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Ivailo Kalfin
* Photo opportunity
* Minister Dlamini Zuma to hold discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Kalfin
* Photo opportunity
* Media in attendance for opening remarks
10h00: Media to arrive ahead of press conference on conclusion of bilateral
discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Kalfin
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9)
Pretoria
Please RSVP: masangod@foreign.gov.za pillaim@foreign.gov.za
Please present press cards.
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
David Masango
Cell: 084 502 2830
10h30: Joint press conference
For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 February 2009
