Press Release
28 January 2014
Deputy Minister Fransman concludes visit to Madagascar
International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Marius Fransman concluded his official visit on Sunday, 26 January 2014, in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Deputy Minister Fransman represented President Jacob Zuma at the inauguration of the newly and democratically elected President of Madagascar. South Africa, as part of SADC, played a leading role in the process of mediation during the past five years, including serving and chairing the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
In his statement during the swearing-in of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Deputy Minister Fransman as Special Envoy of President Zuma to Madagascar, said: “I am very happy to be in this country at this critical and exciting juncture of Madagascar's political history. It is a new beginning for Madagascar and its people.”
During the official visit, Deputy Minister Fransman held bilateral discussions with the President Rajaonarimampianina; Mr Andry Rajoelina, the outgoing President of the Transition; Mr Jacques Ulrich Andriantiana, the Foreign Affairs Minister; and other stakeholders. “I conveyed the congratulations and appreciation of the government and people of South Africa for the constructive and responsible manner in which all leaders, stakeholders and the people of Madagascar across the board, contributed to a peaceful and orderly transition to a new dispensation in Madagascar,” said Deputy Minister Fransman.
The Deputy Minister further stated that the main objective of South Africa is to expand the bilateral and economic relations between South Africa and Madagascar, to mutual benefit.
“There are already a sizeable number of South African companies present in Madagascar and the encouraging aspect is that an increasing number of South African companies are looking at the exciting economic opportunities here,” said Deputy Minister Fransman.
A South Africa-Madagascar Chamber of Commerce will be launched soon which will further facilitate bilateral economic cooperation.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO, 0828845974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
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