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Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to Host Portuguese Counterpart, Secretary
of State of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Professor João Cravinho,
Tshwane, South Africa Tshwane - South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz
Pahad will today, Thursday 17 November 2005 host his Portuguese counterpart, Secretary
of State of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Professor João Cravinho for
bilateral political and economic discussions in Tshwane. Discussions between
Deputy Minister Pahad and Secretary of State Cravinho come within the context
of South Africa's commitment to consolidate relations with countries of the North
in order to achieve the developmental agenda of the South. In this regard,
Portugal, during its Presidency of the European Union (EU), made the strengthening
of the European relations with Africa a priority that resulted in the first EU-Africa
Summit being held in Cairo in April 2000. In addition, Portugal as a member
of the EU, is a great supporter of the achievement of the African agenda through
EU sponsored development co-operation to South Africa. Issues on the agenda
of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Secretary of State Cravinho are
likely to include, among others: - The status of bilateral political
and economic relations between both countries;
- Developments in Africa
with particular reference to Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Angola;
- African
Union - European Union co-operation; and
- Other multilateral issues of
mutual concern including the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
Secretary
of State Cravinho is expected to pay a courtesy call on Deputy President Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka while in South Africa and interact with members of the Portuguese
community based in South Africa. Secretary of State Cravinho is expected
to depart from South Africa on Saturday, 19 November 2005. Bilateral
Economic Co-operation Most important Portuguese investments in South
Africa are the following:
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 bigger Portuguese
exporter of cork is also present in SA (Montague Park): Amorim Cork South Africa
Pty. At a financial level, the biggest Portuguese bank (state owned) has
a SA investment . The Mercantile Bank has 14 branches in SA, providing a full
range of domestic and international services, as well as specialised financing,
investment facilities and others. In 2002 BANCO PRIVADO, a privately owned Portuguese
Bank reputed to have affluent Portuguese citizens as its clients, opened a branch
in Johannesburg. BANIF bank has also several investments in SA, among them a branch
in Bruma (Finance House). Since 2002, the biggest Portuguese cement company
is also present in the SA market with the Natal Portland Cement Company. With
three factories (in Simuma, Durban and Newcastle), it produces 1 million/ton per
year and has a 11% market share. Pestana Group, one of the major Portuguese
hotel groups, invested on a hotel in Melalane (Kruger Park). Bilateral
Trade Statistics
| Year | Exports
to Portugal | Imports from Portugal | | 2005
(Jan - May) | R 343, 640million | R
217, 402 million | | 2004 | R
728, 245 million | R 797, 746 million | | 2003 | R
754, 734 million | R 535, 167 million | | 2002 | R
1, 010,756 million | R 594,523 million |
Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Tshwane
0001 17 November 2005 | 
