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Minister Dlamini Zuma to Arrive in Moscow Ahead of the 5th Session
of the South Africa - Russia Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic
Co-operation (ITEC) Moscow - South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma will later today, Tuesday 4 October 2005 arrive in Moscow, Russia
ahead of the 5th Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and
Economic Co-operation (ITEC) between both countries. Minister Dlamini Zuma
will, together with Russian Minister of Natural Resources, Minister Yuri Petrovich
Trutnev, co-chair the 5th session of ITEC scheduled for Wednesday - Thursday,
5 - 6 October 2005 in Moscow. Minister Dlamini Zuma is accompanied by senior
government officials and a strong business delegation.
The Fourth Session of
ITEC between South Africa and the Russian Federation took place in Tshwane, a
year ago, from the 17 - 19 November 2004. ITEC is the most important mechanism
regulating bilateral, political and economic relations between South Africa and
Russia. During the November 2004 consultations in Tshwane, the two co-chairpersons
agreed that a mechanism should be established that monitors and ensures implementation
of decisions between sessions of ITEC. Joint subcommittees between South
Africa and the Russian Federation will consider amongst other fields, the following
areas: - Minerals and Energy
- Health
- Trade and Industry
- Science and Technology, and
- Agriculture
Bilateral
Discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Minister Yuri Trutnev, are expected
to focus among others on: - Developments within the African Union and
NEPAD
- Bilateral trade and investment issues
- Conflict resolution
in Africa
- Developments within the Southern African Development Community
(SADC)
- Developments regarding the Middle East Peace Process
Agreements
to be signed will include: - Agreement on Co-operation in the Field
of Maritime Transport
- Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) between the Hartbeeshoek
Radio Astronomic Observatory (HartRAO) and Puschino Radio Astronomical Observatory
(PRAO)
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Science and Technology between
the Department of Science and Technology( RSA) and the Joint Institute on Nuclear
Research ( Russian Federation)
ECONOMIC BILATERAL RELATIONS A
strong South African business delegation will also travel to Moscow to participate
in a Joint Business Summit between South African and the Russian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry alongside the Fifth Session. Various representatives from mining,
construction, transport, health and other sectors will participate in the Business
Summit. Both countries have expressed a strong need to increase the levels
of trade between them. Thus, the convening of the Business Summit is a concrete
expression of this commitment. South African Businesses with interests in Russia
include, Anglo American, Standard Bank, De Beers, Protea Hotels, Barlow World,
Capespan and the Bateman Group. In line with South Africa's Black Economic
Empowerment Programme, companies such as Sekoko Resources, Ehlobo Resources, JMM,
MvelaHoldings, Mtjholi Resources, Ngwane Mining, Kumba Resources, Pitsaya se Setshaba
and Khami Mining will also participate in the Business Summit to promote economic
relations. MEDIA EXCHANGE CO-OPERATION Heeding a call made
by Minister Dlamini Zuma in the July 2005 inter-sessional meeting in Tshwane,
to the media to promote stronger contact and co-operation between the Russian
people and South Africans, several journalists representing an array of South
African media houses, left South Africa last week as part of a media exchange
programme. The South African media will also cover the Fifth Session of
ITEC, as well as the Business Summit. Issued by Nomfanelo Kota on 082
459 3787 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag x 152
Tshwane
0001 4
October 2005 | 
