relations developed during anti-apartheid struggle at the start of a three-day
official visit to Belarus
5 July 2007
Minsk: South African Foreign Minister Dr N Dlamini Zuma arrived in Minsk,
Belarus today, Thursday, 5 July 2007 for bilateral discussions and the launch
of the South Africa, Belarus Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and
Economic Co-operation (ITEC) scheduled for Thursday to Saturday, 5 to 7 July
2007.
Addressing the local media following a courtesy call to the President of the
Republic of Belarus, His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko and initial bilateral
discussions with her Belarusian counterpart Foreign Minister S N Martynov,
Minister Dlamini Zuma said:
"Our fraternal ties with the sister people of Belarus, which were sharpened
during the anti-apartheid struggle will be further developed with the launch of
the South Africa-Belarus ITEC. We are committed to further strengthening
economic co-operation which unfortunately lags far behind our political
relations."
Minister Dlamini Zuma, accompanied by Minister B Sonjica and Deputy Minister
R Davies, participated in the opening session of the South Africa-Belarus ITEC
and commended the government and people of Belarus for their high-tech
knowledge base and concluded by saying: "Our two countries' economies have
complementaries that can be beneficial to both our sister nations."
Further bilateral discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and S Martynov
are expected to include:
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between
both countries including areas of future engagement and co-operation
* Belarusian support for the promotion of the African agenda
* nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament
* the conflict in the Middle-East
* co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the
United Nations and the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
The South Africa-Belarus ITEC, was signed into law in August 2006 and
consists of the following sub-committees: Minerals and Energy, Science and
Technology and Trade, Investment and Banking. These committees will investigate
further areas of co-operation between both countries.
During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma will on Friday, 6 July 2007 receive
the award of Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University and address
the University community .The Minister will also hold discussions with the
chairperson of the House of Representative of the National Assembly, Mr V
Konoplev and the Deputy Chairperson of the Belarusian Union of Women.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday, 8
July 2007.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa
remains significant, and has, and still could present South African businesses
with excellent opportunities.
Current bilateral trade as per Belarusian 2006 statistics is US$15 million.
South African imports of potassium fertilisers (main import), refrigerators,
flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts amount to US$6 million. Belarus
also exports fully assembled low cost agricultural tractors and large dump
trucks for the mining industry. South African exports of diamonds, veneer
sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods amounted to
US$4 million.
Trade between South Africa and Belarus (all figures in ZAR)
All figures R' 000
Year: 2001
SA exports: 1 191
SA imports: 2 292
Total trade: 3 483
Year: 2002
SA exports: 1 841
SA imports: 6 260
Total trade: 8 101
Year: 2003
SA exports: 1 590
SA imports: 2 681
Total trade: 4 271
Year: 2004
SA exports: 2 410
SA imports: 20 246
Total trade: 22 656
Year: 2005
SA exports: 2 401
SA imports: 9 042
Total trade: 11 443
Year: 2006
SA exports: 2 806
SA imports: 12 315
Total Trade: 15 121
Contact:
V Hlongwane
Cell: 082 385 1169
Issued by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
5 July 2007
