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Welcome Message by the South African Embassy in the United Arab Emirates
Welcome to the website of the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi. We hope that you will find this online portal useful in your search for information on the services rendered by the Embassy or what South Africa has to offer for the traveller, be it for business or leisure.
The South Africa of today is one of the most sophisticated, diverse and promising emerging markets globally. Strategically located at the tip of the African continent, South Africa is a key investment location, both for the market opportunities within its borders and as a gateway to the rest of the Continent. The country is the economic powerhouse of Africa and forms part of the BRICS group of countries with Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well the G20 group of nations with the most advanced and important economies in the world. Not only is South Africa becoming one of the most popular trade and investment destinations in the world due to its stable democracy, incredible infrastructure and world class financial systems and services, but the country also offers incredible value-for-money as a global tourist destination. Our wild life is world renowned, and our safari packages superb. Whether you want to merely relax on the beach or spend time in nature, go hunting, whale watching, and shark diving, do shopping or spend leisure time in a world class hotel or game lodge, South Africa is the place to go. Do check out the website of SA Tourism and the links provided for more detail.
Travelling to South Africa has never been easier with numerous daily flights between the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban).
I would therefore like to encourage the UAE business community and tourists alike to further exploit the numerous opportunities that are available. You will find the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai willing and able to provide the necessary support.
Welcome to our rainbow nation. |
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Relations between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates
South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have maintained a friendly and mutual beneficial relationship since formal diplomatic ties were first established in 1994. The relationship has a strong economic focus. The UAE is South Africa’s main importing partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and is a lucrative export market for South African products, while many South African companies are benefitting from opportunities in the UAE in a variety of sectors. Business is aided by the growing air connectivity between the two countries with Emirates Airlines flying to South Africa 8 times a day : 4 times into Johannesburg, 3 times into Cape Town and once into Durban. Etihad Airways flies to Johannesburg once every day.
South African construction, hospitality, consultancy and services sectors are playing a big role in the rapid development of the UAE and it is estimated that more than 100 South African companies operate in the UAE, while others maintain representative offices in the UAE. South African brands such as Mediclinic, Mugg ’n Bean, Nando’s, Galitto’s, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Barlow Logistics, Denel, Dimension Data and SA Airways are familiar names in the UAE. The South African Business Council in the UAE (SABCO) promotes the development of business opportunities as well as social relations between businesses from the two countries. The large South Africa expatriate community in the UAE, estimated to be between 60,000 and 80,000, are active in various sectors. Many are in the teaching and health professions, military industry as well as aviation.
Noteworthy are the ever increasing trade figures between South Africa and the UAE, totalling R 44.5 billion with exports to the UAE increasing from R6 billion in 2011 to almost R 25.5 billion in 2018. The continuing trend that South Africa has a trade surplus of R 6.4 billion over the UAE reflects a positive trajectory of the potential for further improving the exchange of goods and services between the two countries.
Major South African exports to the UAE include precious metals, products of iron / steel, fruits and vegetables, meat, minerals products, chemicals, machinery and prepared foodstuffs. The UAE is one of South Africa’s largest suppliers of crude oil and consist of nearly 70 per cent of South Africa’s imports from the UAE. Other exports to South Africa include iron / steel products, machinery, plastics and rubber, prepared foodstuff, stone and glass, chemicals and textiles.
Since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy in 1994 regular Presidential visits have taken place, with the latest visit being that of President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2018. These high-level visits are a clear indication of the importance attached to the SA-UAE relationship.
Following the conclusion of an Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Ministerial Commission in 2011, the first meeting of the SA-UAE Joint Commission was held in August 2015 in Abu Dhabi. A second session of the Joint Commission took place in October 2018 in Pretoria. The mechanism of a Joint Commission provides the two countries an opportunity to review bilateral relations and deliberate on proposals for enhanced and new areas of cooperation. South Africa and the UAE have signed a number of important bilateral agreements, with a few more agreements and MoU’s nearing finalisation. Some of the notable concluded agreements are :
- Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
- Bilateral Air Services Agreement
- Bilateral Agreement on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation
- Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation
- Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation
Defence Cooperation Agreement
- Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations
- Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income
- Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
- Extradition Treaty
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Social Development
The excellent bilateral relationship between South Africa and the UAE is also reflected in a strong collaboration in multilateral fora and international organisations, where the two countries have a like-minded approach to many global challenges. Currently South Africa and the UAE serve together as part of the Troika of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The South African Government is represented through the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a Consulate General in Dubai. |
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