Deputy President Jacob Zuma to host Turkish Counterpart, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Wednesday, 2 - Saturday, 5 March 2005

Pretoria - South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma will host his Turkish counterpart, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on an official visit in South Africa from Wednesday, Saturday, 2-5 March 2005.

The South African delegation will include, among others, Ministers Jeff Radebe, Mosiuoa Lekota, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and South Africa's representative to Turkey, Ambassador Mngqikana.

Prime Minister Erdogan's delegation will include, among others: Ministers of Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, Transport and State Minister for Co-operation and Development: Kemal Unatikan, Dr Hilmi Guler, Binali Yildirim and Besir Atalay respectively and 60 senior businesspeople.

Issues on the agenda of bilateral discussions are expected to include:

• The consolidation and expansion of bilateral economic and political relations;
• Progress made in bilateral relations in the sectors of trade and investment, minerals and energy, defence and security co-operation, restoration of airlinks and expansion of tourism; and
• Issues of mutual concern including, the elections in Iraq, developments in the Middle East and reform of the United Nations.

In addition, Turkey has declared Africa as its priority area for 2005 and its policy, as reflected in the 1998 Action Plan of Opening up to Africa, is aimed at developing relations and enhancing co-operation with African countries in all areas including a comprehensive political dialogue and establishment of bilateral consultative mechanisms.

This visit is therefore viewed as an opportunity through which Turkey's Africa Outreach Plan can be implemented; support sought for Turkey's contribution to conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa through the continent's peace and security agenda and NEPAD as Africa's socio-economic programme.

Turkey remains interested in joint ventures with South African construction and engineering entities backed by international funding.

Turkey is also open to consultations on expanding educational scholarships for South Africa and African students.

Prime Minister Erdogan is expected to, on conclusion of bilateral discussions with Deputy President Zuma, sign an Economic and Trade Co-operation Agreement which is viewed as an important step in completing the legal framework between the two countries from which to expand bilateral trade, economic and investment relations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Erdogan is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki; hold discussions with the Speaker of Parliament, Baleka Mbete, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu and Premier of the Western Cape, Ibrahim Rasool; engage with South African captains of industry through the opening of the SA-Turkey Business Summit Partnership for Growth; and lay a wreath at Freedom Park.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Bilateral Trade Between South Africa And Turkey: (US$ Million)

South African exports to Turkey (including gold) increased by 205% during January-December 2004 over the same period for 2003 and reached USD 1,003 million (R5,6 billion). South Africa's exports during the same period of 2003 were USA 328 million (R1,8 billion).

South African exports to Turkey excluding gold were USD 314 million (R1,7 billion) during January- December 2004 and increased by 36% over the same period of 2003, which were USD 232 million (R1,3 billion)

SA exports of gold to Turkey were USD 689 million (R3,8 billion) during January-December 2004 and increased by 617% as compared to the same period of 2003, with a value of US$ 3,5 billion in 2004.

Turkish exports to South Africa were USD 190 million (R1,1 billion) during January-December 2004 and increased by 57% as compared to the same period in 2003, which were USD 121 million (R677 million)

South African exports to Turkey include automotive spare parts, woven pile and chenille fabrics, and woven textiles of synthetic fibres, sanitary paper articles, small electrical home appliances, hazelnuts and motorcar tyres. S.A. is also shifting from raw materials especially gold to value added goods and services including automotive parts, boilers, finished stainless steal products, furnaces, information technology and security equipment and management services.

South African Imports from Turkey include: articles of paper, pulp, and paper board, automotive and spare parts, tractors and spare parts, chassis, cars, commercial vehicle brakes drums, disk brakes, machinery, textiles out of staple fibre and synthetic filament, electrical appliances, special woven fabrics, rubber and articles, iron and steel wires, cables, home textiles, articles of stone, plaster (marble), tobacco, inorganic chemicals, cotton textile gold jewellery, dried tomatoes industrial textiles and processed and packed fruits and vegetables.

Foreign Direct Investment from Turkey into South Africa amounts to US$60 million, mainly in the textile and tourism sectors.

Six Turkish companies, have set up plants in South Africa:

Zorlu-Kortex; Cankurtaran-Conti; Sumo Colliery SA; Sesli Holdings; Uludag Blankets; Ahlesa Textiles. There are over 50 registered Turkish companies trading or providing services in the tourism and restaurant sectors in South Africa.

South African companies in Turkey include Macsteel in Istanbul; Grinaker Construction and Steinmueller Africa are involved in civil engineering projects. Companies with buying agents in Turkey are: Conlong, Mossop Western Leathers, Harvey Roofing, Breathetex, Samancor, Sappi, Sasol, Hulett Aluminium, Trident Midrand Steel, G. Mondiano SA, Aquazure Hatcheries, BEC/Disavascular Medical, Karoo Livestock Exports.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

1 March 2005