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Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to hold Discussions with Mexican
Counterpart Ambassador Maria De Lourdes Aranda Bezaury, Tshwane, South Africa,
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 Tshwane - South African Deputy Foreign Minister
Aziz Pahad will today, Tuesday 12 July 2005, host his Mexican counterpart Ambassador
Maria de Lourdes Aranda Bezaury for bilateral political and economic discussions
at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. The visit comes in the context of efforts
aimed at consolidating relations between South Africa and its partners in the
South in the interests of creating the conditions for trade, investment and tourism
opportunities to be increased between both countries. Issues on the agenda
will include, among others: - The status of bilateral political and economic
relations between both countries;
- Co-operation initiatives between both
countries in the fields of culture and education, science and technology, social
development including job creation and fisheries; and
- Other issues of
mutual interest including reform of the United Nations and its institutions.
On
conclusion of discussions with Deputy Minister Pahad, Ambassador Maria de Lourdes
Aranda Bezaury will hold discussions with the Deputy Ministers of Home Affairs
and Social Development. Bilateral Economic Relations Bilateral
trade figures for the last three years are as follows: (R 000) | Year | Exports
to Mexico | Imports from Mexico | | 2003 | 617
507 | 803 841 | | 2004 | 824
759 | 709 251 | | 2005 |
161 659 | 107 249 |
Mexico has
replaced Argentina as South Africa's second largest trading partner (after Brazil)
in Latin America, while South Africa is Mexico's largest trading partner in Africa. Steel
and steel products remain South Africa's largest export to Mexico - with almost
62% of value. This is then followed by chemicals, leather, mineral ores, vehicle
parts, electrical machinery, paints and dyes, paper products, etc. From
the Mexican side, Mexico's clear international competitive advantage shows in
its exports to South Africa as well. Mexican exports are dominated by heavy machinery
and mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, optical measuring instruments
and vehicle and truck parts. Of course, Tequila and traditional Mexican chillies
and even Corona Beer is to be found on the Mexican side, reflecting the world
wide growth in Mexican cultural exports as well. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
on 082 990 4853. Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 12
July 2005
Media Programme for Incoming Visit of Mexican Deputy
Foreign Minister Ambassador Maria De Lourdes Aranda Bezuary, Tshwane, South Africa,
Tuesday, 12 July 2005
Tuesday, 12 July 2005
08h30 Arrival
of media for photo opportunity ahead of bilateral discussions between Deputy Minister
Aziz Pahad and Mexican counterpart Ambassador Maria De Lourdes Aranda Bezaury Venue
: Second Floor East Wing
Union Buildings
Pretoria (Please present
press cards) Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587 09h00 Commencement
of bilateral discussions between Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad and Ambassador Maria
De Lourdes Aranda Bezaury Photo opportunity 11h15 Arrival of media
ahead of press conference to be addressed by Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad
and Mexican counterpart Ambassador Maria De Lourdes Aranda Bezaury on conclusion
of discussions Venue : Second Floor East Wing
Union Buildings
Pretoria
(Please present press cards) Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389
3587 11h45 Press conference to be addressed by Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz
Pahad and Mexican counterpart Ambassador Maria De Lourdes Aranda Bezaury For
further information contact: - Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Issued
by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 12
July 2005
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