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Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to
host 4th Session of the Joint Inter-Governmental Committee
on Trade and Economic Co-Operation between South Africa
and Russia, Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday - Friday,
18 - 19 November 2004
PRETORIA - South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma will host Russian Minister of Natural Resources,
Yuri Petrovich Trutnev for the Joint SA-Russia Inter-Governmental
Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC)
meeting on Thursday and Friday 18-19 November 2004 at
the Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria.
Minister Dlamini Zuma who is currently part of the
South African delegation led by President Thabo Mbeki
on the official visit to Belgium, Strasbourg and the
Netherlands will return to South Africa on Thursday,
18 November 2004.
ITEC is the most important mechanism regulating bilateral
political, trade and economic relations between Russia
and South Africa and consists of the following Joint
Sub-Committees:
- Trade, Investment and Banking;
- Minerals and Energy;
- Transport - Aviation and Maritime;
- Social Sector - Health and Education;
- Agriculture;
- Water Affairs and Forestry; and
- Science and Technology.
During bilateral discussions between Ministers Dlamini
Zuma and Trutnev, discussions will include, among others:
- Developments within the AU and NEPAD
- Bilateral trade and investment issues
- Conflict resolution in Africa
- Developments within SADC
- Reform of multilateral institutions including the
UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, Ecosoc and
global finance institutions
- Middle East peace process including the situation
in Palestine/Israel and Iraq
Economic Bilateral Relations
The bulk of South Africa's exports to Russia are made
up of vehicle engines (18.8% of our exports); machines
& mechanical appliances (14%); fresh grapes (13.8%);
flat-rolled products or iron (10%); pears (6.8%) peaches
(3.4%) - amounting to almost 70% of our exports to Russia.
The major import from Russia, accounting for over 65%
of our imports is made up of unwrought nickel.
Potential markets include: automotive part and aftermarket
parts, oil and gas equipment, agricultural equipment,
wines.
The Russian Federation adopted a Decree in March 2003
to include South Africa in a list of developing countries
that enjoy preferential tariffs and duties with regard
to exports to Russia.
Anglo American, Standard Bank, De Beers, JCI, Gencor
and EL Bateman have substantial interests in Russia.
In addition, SAB Miller has established a brewery in
the Kaluga Region, which represented a US$100 million
investment, and their product, Golden Barrel Beer, is
highly successful in the local market.
In March 2004, the Russian company, OAO Norilsk Nickel
MMC, bought 98.5 million common shares, or 20% of the
South African gold producer Gold Fields Limited for
$1,16 billion. Norilsk Nickel is the world's largest
producer of the nickel and palladium group of metals,
accounting for 18% of world nickel production, 13% of
cobalt, 3% of copper, over 50% of palladium, 14% of
platinum and 15% of world gold production. The deal,
one of the largest single foreign investments by a Russian
company, likely signals the start of Norilsk's expansion
onto the global gold markets.
Exports to Russia
2000 R204,010 000
2001 R282,884 000
2002 R415,525 000
2003 R599,132 000
Imports from Russia
2000 R566,705 000
2001 R336,001 000
2003 R972,054 000
2004 R241,308 000
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
17 November 2004
Programme for the Working Visit to South Africa
by Russion Minister of Natural Resources, Yuri Petrovich
Trutnev to Co-Chair the 4th Session of the Joint Intergovernmental
Committee on Trade and Economic Co-Operation (ITEC)
between South Africa and the Russian Federation, Pretoria,
South Africa, Thursday, 18 - Friday, 19 November 2004
Thursday, 18 November 2004
15h00 Arrival of participating media for opening plenary
of 4th session of Joint Intergovernmental Committee
on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC)
Venue : Presidential Guesthouse
Bryntirion Estate
Church Street (Enter through Gate 9)
(Press cards to be presented on arrival)
Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
16h00 Opening plenary of 4th session of ITEC
Media in attendance for introductory remarks by Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Russian
Minister of Natural Resources, Yuri Petrovich Trutnev
Friday, 19 November 2004
10h45 Arrival of participating media for closing plenary
of 4th session of Joint Intergovernmental Committee
on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC)
Venue : Presidential Guesthouse
Bryntirion Estate
Church Street (Enter through Gate 9)
(Press cards to be presented on arrival)
Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
11h15 Closing plenary of 4th session of ITEC
Media in attendance for closing remarks by Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Russian
Minister of Natural Resources, Yuri Petrovich Trutnev
11h45 Signing of agreed minutes
Press conference
Media in attendance
For further information contact Manusha Pillai on
082 389 3587
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
17 November 2004
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