Media Statement: Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim to undertake a working visit to the Gulf Region:  31 July  to 6 August 2010

PRETORIA – The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, will pay a working visit to Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain from 31 July to 6 August 2010. The Deputy Minister will commence his visit in the State of Qatar, where he will lead the South African delegation to the Second Round of Bilateral Consultations, which will be co-chaired by Deputy Minister Ebrahim and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mr Saif Muggadam Al-Buainain. The Bilateral Consultations seek to enhance cooperation in the various fields identified in the inaugural session, with an emphasis on economic and trade relations, science and technology, as well as arts and culture.
 
In Kuwait, Deputy Minister Ebrahim will discuss bilateral relations with the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah. The Republic of South Africa is viewed as a favourable investment destination by Kuwaiti Investors, many of whom have substantial investments in the country’s hospitality and real estate sectors.

The Deputy Minister will culminate his working visit to the Gulf region in the Kingdom of Bahrain, where he will engage in discussions with his Bahraini counterpart, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, on the potential for the Republic of South Africa and Bahrain to seek closer cooperation in various fields.

For more information, please contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on 082 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0001

Friday, 30 July 2010