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Deputy Minister Pahad has Arrived in Portugal Lisbon -
South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad has arrived in Portugal ahead
of an official visit scheduled for Monday - Tuesday, 9-10 May. The visit
to Europe by Deputy Minister Pahad comes in the context of South Africa's foreign
policy whose central thrust remains the consolidation of the African agenda including
building strategic, strong and vibrant bilateral political and economic relations
with the global community. While in Portugal, Deputy Minister Pahad is scheduled
to hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation João Cravinho, Director-General
for External Policy in the Foreign Ministry and Former Ambassador to South Africa
Fernando Pereira, and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign
Affairs, Luis Arnaut. Issues on the agenda of discussions are expected to
include:
- The consolidation of bilateral political and economic
co-operation between both countries;
- The African agenda and European support
for NEPAD as the programme through which to alleviate underdevelopment and poverty
in Africa;
- The consolidation of North-South relations;
- The role
of Europe and South Africa in the resolution of the crisis in the Middle East
especially since the European Union is a key player in the Quartet sponsored Roadmap;
- Parliamentary
co-operation between both countries and the Africa through the Pan-African Parliament;
and
- Global issues of mutual interest including the reform of all institutions
of the United Nations.
Deputy Minister Pahad will also hold discussions
with the Chairperson of Socialist International, António Guterres regarding
preparations for the forthcoming Progressive Governance Summit to be hosted by
South Africa in October 2005. Bilateral Economic Relations - Exports
to Portugal amounted to R754,7 m in 2003 (down from R1, 010 bn in 2002) and imports
amounted to R535, 2 m (down from R595 m in 2002); South Africa enjoys a positive
trade balance of R 219,5 m (down from R 415 000 in 2002).
- FDI flows from
Portugal amounted to R314 m for the period 1999-2002.
- The most important
South African exports to Portugal are coal, steel products, frozen fish, fruit
juices, fruit, vegetables, wood and granite. Main imports from Portugal are cork,
machinery, textile fibres, cables, electronic equipment and articles of sound
and image.
- The largest South African company operating in Portugal is
the Abadare Cables subsidiary, Alcobre, that manufactures cables for the telecommunications
industry. The SA property company, Homenet, has an office in Lisbon while two
smaller new companies, Peixe do Cabo (fresh fish) and Chef Works ARDOCRAI LDA
(Chefs outfits) are also present. SmartPac, a "smart card" company has
an agreement with the local company Prism and South African Netcare established
a partnership with the Portuguese private health care company, Private Hospitals
of Portugal (HPP) on 2 August 2004. In addition there are also a number of ostrich
breeding companies who have strong Southern African connections as well as various
small importing and exporting companies especially in the linen and curtaining
industry.
- The Portuguese conglomerate, Sonae, bought Sappi-Novoboard (TAFESA)
in 2004 and the Mpumalanga Investment Initiative has hopes for further Portuguese
investments in projects in their province.
- The Portuguese family company
Gelpeixe imports large quantities of South African hake and other fish from the
South African company, Viking.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990
4853. Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 8
May 2005 | 
