Deputy President Jacob Zuma to Co-Chair the 6th Session of South Africa - Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC), Durban, South Africa Thursday, 9 - Friday, 10 September 2004

Deputy President Jacob Zuma will, together with his Nigerian counterpart, Vice President Atiku Abubaker, co-chair the 6th session of the South Africa - Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) on Thursday, 9 - Friday, 10 September 2004 in Durban, South Africa.

During the session, which will be preceded by meetings of experts within the sectors of co-operation covered by the Commission, bilateral consultations will be held within the context of the Commission's existing Working Groups, viz:

· Trade, Industry & Finance Working Group
· Minerals & Energy Working Group
· Agriculture, Water Resources & the Environment Working Group
· Foreign Affairs & Co-operation Working Group
· Social & Technical Working Group
· Public Enterprises & Infrastructure Working Group
· Committee on Defence

The session will provide the delegations of the two countries with the opportunity to assess the progress made within these Working Groups since the 5th session of the Commission held in Lagos, Nigeria, in December 2003 and to further expand the areas of co-operation between South Africa and Nigeria.

The session will also serve to explore and agree on concrete actions to promote the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) within the various sectors of bilateral co-operation, an initiative in which the Heads of State of the two countries are playing a leading role.

Bilateral Economic Co-operation

With regard to bilateral co-operation, which focuses on the promotion of trade and investment between the two countries, substantial progress has already been made. In 2000, Nigeria became South Africa's largest trading partner in the West African region. During 2003, the total of two-way trade stood at R4,9 billion, with R2,3 billion of this being South Africa exports to Nigeria.

South African exports to Nigeria

Export values R 709 million (2000)
R 1,6 billion (2001)
R 2,7 billion (2002)
R 2,3 billion (2003)
Main export products Machinery & mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, sound & television recorders & reproducers & articles thereof Wood & other fibrous celluloisic pulp, waste & paper/paperboard scrap, paper & paperboard articles Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, vinegar & tobacco Plastics & rubber and articles thereof Chemicals & allied products Base metals & articles thereof

South African imports from Nigeria
Import values R 1,26 billion (2000)
R 1,6 billion (2001)
R 3,6 billion (2002)
R 2,6 billion (2003)
Main import product Crude oil

Multilateral Co-operation
In a multilateral context, where co-operation between the two countries focuses on bringing Africa into the mainstream of global political, social and economic developments, South Africa and Nigeria are at the forefront of efforts to promote the continent's interests on the international political and economic stage.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
? Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
7 September 2004