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President Thabo Mbeki to Pay State Visits to Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville,
Tuesday, 2 - Friday, 5 August 2005 Tshwane - South African President and
Mrs. Thabo Mbeki, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma, will depart South Africa on Monday 1 August on a two-nation African
visit to Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville from Tuesday-Thursday, 2-5 August 2005. Other
members of the presidential delegation include Ministers Mandisi Mpahlwa, Dr.
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Dr. Pallo Jordan, Naledi Pandor and Jeff Radebe. The
state visit to Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville, respectively, takes place within the
context of South Africa's commitment to strengthen bilateral political and economic
relations with all countries on the continent.
Pursuant to this objective,
President Mbeki will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his
counterparts President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba and President Denis Sassou Nguesso
respectively, to discuss among others: - The status of bilateral
political and economic relations between South Africa and each of the countries
with particular reference to trade and industry, health, education, arts, culture
and transport;
- Regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives
including the situation in Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tomé and Principé,
the Central African Republic and Chad;
- Preparations for Presidential elections
to be held in December 2005 in Gabon;
- President Mbeki is expected to
brief his counterparts on the outcome of the recently concluded G-8 Summit in
Scotland and the implications for the African Agenda;
- And the comprehensive
reform of the UN system
During the visit to Gabon, President Mbeki
and President Ondimba are expected to officiate at the signing ceremony of the
following agreements - Reciprocal Protection and Promotion of
Investments;
- Maritime Matters;
- Cooperation in the Fields of
Arts and Culture; and
- Cooperation in the Fields of Education, Training
and Higher Education.
Whilst in Congo-Brazzaville, President Mbeki
and President Denis Sassou Nguesso will witness the signing of: - Trade
Agreement;
- Agreement on the Reciprocal Protection and Promotion of Investments;
- Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Health;
- Protocol to
the General Cooperation Agreement on Regular Diplomatic Consultation; and
- Declaration
of Intent to Implement Cultural Cooperation.
President Mbeki is expected
to return to South Africa on Friday, 5 August 2005. Bilateral Economic Relations
between South Africa and Gabon SA exports 2000 R140 909 000
2001
R127 796 000
2002 R212 672 000
2003 R119 925 000
2004 R150 919 000 SA
imports 2000 R 24 363 000
2001 R 569 545 000
2002 R1 227 187 000
2003
R 52 925 000
2004 R 164 603 000
(Source: SA DTI 2004) Bilateral Economic
Relations between South Africa and the Republic of Congo
Since 2000, there
was a steady increase in trade between South Africa and the Republic of Congo,
but there was a decrease in exports to the Republic of Congo in 2003 and 2004,
while there was also a decrease in imports in 2004.
South African companies
currently involved in the Republic of Congo include Spoornet, Protea Hotels, Vodacom
and Executive Aerospace. SA exports to 2000. R178 172 000
2001.
R256 300 000
2002. R346 727 000
2003. R281 139 000
2004. R262 220
000 Imports from 2000 R 4 765 000
2001. R 13 470 000
2002.
R 31 250 000
2003. R140 461 000
2004. R 86 386 000
(Source: DTI: 2004)
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
31 July 2005 | 
