Ramanathan for state visit, Pretoria
17 April 2007
President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma, will on Thursday, 19 April 2007, host his Singaporean counterpart
President Sellapan Ramanathan, on a first state visit to South Africa by a
Singaporean Head of State for bilateral political, economic and trade
discussions at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
President Mbeki's delegation will include Ministers Mosioua Lekota,
Membathisi Mdladlana, Ronnie Kasrils. President Mbeki will host his counterpart
within the context of South Africa's commitment to consolidating and
strengthening political, economic and trade relations with Singapore.
In addition, the visit is aimed at achieving the objectives of the New
Africa-Asia Strategic Partnership adopted in April 2005. This partnership
mandated all Asian and African countries to give expression to their political
relations by expanding trade and economic relations.
Issues on the agenda for discussions between Presidents Mbeki and Nathan are
expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries including support for skills development programmes through
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA) and Joint
Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA)
* to encourage more trade and investment projects such as the Coega Straits
Chemicals investment worth about R5,8 billion
* developments in Africa-Asia relations since the adoption of the New
Africa-Asia Strategic Partnership (NAASP) with a view to the Ministerial
Meeting later in 2007 and the Summit of Afro-Asian Heads of State and
Government in 2008.
* global challenges including South Africa's mandate as the Non-Permanent
Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and United Nations
Security Council issues, inter alia, Timor Leste, and the Middle East.
* views on increasing South-South Co-operation especially lessons for Southern
Africa's Development Community (SADC) in light of the expanded Association of
Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), and the prospects of its Free Trade Area by
2015
* developments in the World Trade Organisation Talks.
While in South Africa, President Ramanathan is expected to meet with the
Singaporean Business Community based in South Africa, visit the Mandela Museum
in Soweto, lay a wreath at the Hector Peterson Memorial, visit Robben Island,
participate in the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the Straits Chemicals
at Coega Village in Port Elizabeth, visit the Gandhi Settlement and Luthuli
Museum in Durban.
Economic Bilateral Relations
Singapore is an important country in Southeast Asia for South Africa not
only because it occupies the top position in terms of total trade in the
region, but also because of its role within ASEAN which could facilitate a
broader free trade agreement (FTA) between ASEAN and Southern African Customs
Union (SACU).
The visit by President Nathan to South Africa marks a clear resurgence of
interest in our bilateral relations.
Trade and investment
The focus is to facilitate and promote trade and economic relations between
South Africa and Singapore and to encourage interaction between their
respective business communities. New investment clusters and zones will be
identified to facilitate investment in infrastructure and enterprises including
the tourism sector development such as hotel and resort development.
Trade and Investment South Africa is currently facilitating a ship-building
and repair project between Imbani (South African company) and Samcorp
(Singapore company). The Department of trade and Industry (dti), Development
Bank of South Africa (DBSA), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Richards
Bay Municipality and Imbani visited Samcorp operations in Singapore last year
(2006) as part of the due diligence process. The mission was led by Mayor
Moffat from Richard's Bay Municipality. Richard's Bay Industrial Development
Zone has been identified as the preferred location for this investment project.
The projected total investment of this project is estimated to be R2 billion.
The dti, IDC, DBSA and the Richard's Bay Municipality are currently engaging
with the National Port Authority (NPA) including Transnet in making sure that
investment is realised.
In terms of inward investment, there is growing investment by Singapore into
South Africa. Of note is the Straits Chemicals project worth R5,8 billion at
Coega.
For South African trade to Singapore, go to http://www.dfa.gov.za
Media programme for state visit to South Africa by Singaporean President
Sellapan Ramanathan
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Gauteng
06h00: Arrival of media for photo opportunity on arrival of President Nathan in
South Africa
Venue: Johannesburg International Airport, VIP lounge, International Arrival
Terminal, please reserve place, accreditation required
Thursday, 19 April 2007
Arrival of Singapore President Nathan
Pretoria
09h30: Arrival of media ahead of official welcoming ceremony in honour of
President Nathan
Venue: Union Buildings Amphitheatre, Pretoria
Media to arrive through Government Avenue
10h30: Arrival of President Nathan to be received by President Thabo Mbeki
(Media in attendance)
Bilateral discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and President Nathan
10h30: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by President Thabo
Mbeki and President Nathan
Venue: Union Buildings Amphitheatre, Pretoria
Media to arrive through Government Avenue
11h30: Joint press conference
12h00: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
courtesy call by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on President
Nathan
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Church Street, Pretoria
12h30: Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to pay courtesy call on
President Nathan
19h00: Media arrive for photo opportunity ahead of State Banquet hosted by
President Thabo Mbeki in honour of President Nathan
Venue: Presidential guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street,
Pretoria
Enter through Gate 9
19h30: State Banquet hosted by President Thabo Mbeki in honour of President
Nathan
Media in attendance for photo opportunity and toast remarks
Friday, 20 April 2007
Gauteng
10h30: President Nathan to tour Mandela Museum
11h00: President Nathan to visit the Hector Peterson Museum
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Cape Town
09h30: President Nathan to tour Robben Island
11h30: President Nathan to tour Table Mountain
Monday, 23 April 2007
Port Elizabeth
09h30: President Nathan to tour Nelson Mandela Bay
11h30: President Nathan to visit Chemical Straits
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Durban
15h00: President Nathan to visit Gandhi Settlement
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Durban
10h30: President Nathan to visit Luthuli Museum
For more information about President Nathan programme, contact:
Saleh Ali
Cell: 00 65 98 374193
Kindly indicate which events you will be covering as accreditation will be
specified and present press cards.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 April 2007
