Press Release
07 September 2014
Deputy Minister Landers to meet with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK
International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers will meet with the Rt Hon James Duddridge, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, in Pretoria on Monday, 08 September 2014.
The purpose of the meeting will be to review bilateral relations, with a specific focus on supporting the economic priorities of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP).
The meeting will also serve to discuss a number of Africa issues that are on the international agenda, including the most recent developments in the Southern African region.
South Africa and the United Kingdom have a longstanding historic relationship. The countries have extensive trade and economic relations which continue to strengthen, despite the global economic challenges. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the United Kingdom stood at R60 billion for the period January 2009 to April 2014, the highest from Europe in this period and creating 19 699 jobs.
In 2013, the United Kingdom ranked as South Africa’s 8th largest export market globally, and the 2nd largest in the European Union after Germany. Although trade figures have not yet reached the levels prior to the global economic crisis, there has been gradual improvement. In 2013, South Africa’s exports to the UK grew by 16% compared to 2012, and imports from the UK increased by 12% (Source: the dti).
Similarly, the United Kingdom is South Africa’s most significant source of long-haul tourists. In 2013, more than to 442 000 British tourists visited South Africa, an increase of 1% on the figure for 2012 (Source SA Tourism).
There is a structured mechanism between South Africa and the United Kingdom, i.e the “SA-UK Bilateral Forum”, through which cooperation between South Africa and the United Kingdom is coordinated. The Forum was established in 1997 and is held every two years at Foreign Ministers’ level, alternating between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The last meeting of the Forum was held in Cape Town in September 2013.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
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