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Deputy President Jacob Zuma to pay Official Visit to Libya,
Tuesday, 8 - Thursday, 10 March 2005 Pretoria - South African Deputy President
Jacob Zuma will pay an official visit to the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya from Tuesday - Thursday, 8-10 March 2005 where he will lead a senior
South African government and business delegation. Deputy President Jacob
Zuma's delegation is expected to include Ministers Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and
Jeff Radebe and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad. Bilateral political and economic
discussions between Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Libyan Prime Minister Dr Shukri
Mohammed Ghanem are expected to: - Consolidate bilateral political and
economic relations between South Africa and Libya;
- Discuss the operationalisation
of the African Union and its Organs and the implementation of NEPAD as the continent's
socio-economic programme; and
- Consolidate efforts to achieve peace, security
and stability in Africa.
This high-level visit to Libya comes
after Libya has denounced its nuclear weapons programme and ratified the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. These developments have created the conditions for the
international community - the United Nations, the European Union and the United
States - to lift International sanction thereby unlocking new opportunities for
political, economic and trade co-operation with Libya. A Joint Bilateral
Commission, inaugurated in Tripoli from 12 - 14 June 2002 by President Thabo Mbeki
and Libyan President Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, exists between both countries. At
the conclusion of the first session of the Joint Bilateral Commission on 14 June
2002, the following agreements were signed: - The Joint Bilateral Commission
Agreement
- Bilateral Trade Agreement
- Agreement on the Reciprocal
Promotion and Protection of Investment
- Agreement on Merchant Shipping
and Maritime Related Matters
- Letter of Intent for cooperation in the field
of Transport and Transportation
- Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services
- Protocol
of Intent on Cooperation in the Fields of Science and Technology
- Letter
of Intent on an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.
The conclusion
of these agreements between Libya and South Africa has made it easier for the
South African private sector to exploit the economic opportunities that exist
in Libya - tourism, oil exploration, agriculture, communications, mining, manufacturing,
and textiles While in Libya, Deputy President Jacob Zuma is expected to
pay a courtesy call on President Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, co-sign with his counterpart
Prime Minister Ghanem an Air Service Agreement, and visit the Roman Ruins at Leptus
Magna. Economic and Trade Relations Many opportunities in the
fields of construction, hydrocarbons mining and energy, tourism, textiles, agriculture,
communications and cooperation in the military field exist between both countries. ESKOM
has formed a joint venture company, Global Electrical Services Company (GESCO)
with the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL). The joint venture aimed
to assist GECOL in the rehabilitation of Thermal Power Plants and to build capacity
within GECOL in the area of plant rehabilitation and maintenance. Over the past
two years, some major projects had been successfully completed. The main
exports to Libya include base metals, machinery, mechanical and electrical appliances
and agricultural products (vegetables). Bilateral Trade Statistics SA
Trade with Libya | | Year | SA
Exports
(R-million) | SA Imports
(R-million) | Trade
(+ Surplus / - Deficit) | | 2002 | 69,20 | 0,003 | +
69,19 | | 2003 | 40,90 | 0,05 | +
40,85 | | 2004 | 30,90 | 0,50 | +
30,40 |
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department
of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 7 March
2005
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