Bissau for bilateral political and economic discussions
5 August 2007
South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today Sunday, 5 August
2007 announced that Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will on Monday, 6
August 2007 hold bilateral political and economic discussions with her
counterpart from Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Martinho Dafa Cabi at the
Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Prime Minister Cabi will pay a Working
Visit to South Africa from Sunday to Saturday, 5 to 11 August 2007.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will host Prime Minister Cabi within the
context of South Africa's commitment to consolidate bilateral, political,
economic and trade relations with all African countries as part of efforts of
consolidating the African Agenda, said Minister Dlamini Zuma.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka
and Prime Minister Cabi are expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between
South Africa and Guinea Bissau
* the opening of a South African Diplomatic Mission in Guinea Bissau in
December 2007 and the role this will play towards the consolidation and
expansion of these relations
* developments in western and southern Africa.
Through the India-Brazil-South Africa Facility for Hunger and Poverty
Alleviation, South Africa is involved in the development of the agricultural
and livestock sectors in Guinea-Bissau. The project was launched in 2004, as a
South-South Co-operation project meant to assist in the upliftment of
Bissau-Guinean society. It is administered by the United Nations Development
Programme.
The purpose of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund is to implement
duplicable, phased projects in needy developing countries. In Guinea-Bissau,
the project aims to achieve the following results:
* reduction of the country's rice deficit
* improvement and diversification of horticulture
* improvement of short-cycle livestock production
* promotion and development of small and medium scale agro-industry.
While in South Africa Prime Minister Cabi will participate in a South
Africa�Guinea Bissau Business Forum hosted by Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa and hold
discussions with the leadership of the African National Congress.
Prime Minister Cabi will depart from South Africa on Saturday, 11 August
2007.
Bilateral economic relations
South African exports to Guinea-Bissau
Year: 2006
SA exports: R4 169 million
SA imports: R0 416 million
Total trade: R14.485 million
Year: 2005
SA exports: R3 479 million
SA imports: R 0 003 million
Total trade: R3 482 million
Year: 2004
SA exports: R3 768 million
SA imports: R1 million
Total trade: R4.768 million
The South African business sector can play a crucial part in the development
of the processing capacity of Guinea-Bissau in the area of cashew nuts and
fish.
The country has an abundant supply of unexploited natural resources such as
bauxite, phosphates, unexplored crude oil, fresh water and highly fertile soil
suitable for agricultural activity. There are also opportunities in the banking
sector, electricity generation and the development of infrastructure such as
roads, ports and bridges.
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Prime Minister Guinea
Bissau Martinho Data Cabi
Sunday, 5 to Saturday, 11 August 2007
Sunday, 5 August 2007
16h20: Arrival of media for photo opportunity on arrival of Prime Minister of
Guinea Bissau Martinho Data Cabi
Venue: VIP Lounge (Between International and Domestic Terminals) or Tambo
International Airport, Johannesburg
(Please present press cards)
(Parking for own cost)
Arrival of Prime Minister Cabi
Media in attendance for photo opportunity
Monday, 6 August 2007
10h00: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Prime Minister
Cabi
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
11h00: Arrival of Prime Minister Cabi
To be received by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Photo opportunity
Bilateral discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Prime Minister
Cabi
Photo opportunity
11h00: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Deputy President
Mlambo-Ngcuka and Prime Minister Cabi
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Ntabiseng Rantau
Cell: 082 570 5503
12h05: Joint press conference
12h00: Media arrive for photo opportunity ahead of official luncheon hosted by
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka in honour of Prime Minister Cabi
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards
Please RSVP contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Ntabiseng Rantau
Cell: 082 570 5503
12h30: Official luncheon hosted by Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka in honour of
Prime Minister Cabi
Media in attendance for photo opportunity
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
15h00: Media arrive ahead of South Africa � Guinea Bissau Business Forum
Venue: Holiday Inn, Beatrix Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
Please RSVP contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Bongani Lukhele
Cell: 083 291 8689
16h00: South Africa � Guinea Bissau Business Forum
Order of proceedings:
* opening remarks by the Programme Director
* remarks by Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa
* remarks by Prime Minister Cabi.
Kindly indicate which events you will be covering.
For further information contact
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 August 2007
