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President Thabo Mbeki to Host President Francois Bozize of the
Central African Republic (CAR) at the Presidential Guest House, Tswane, 28 April
2006 TSHWANE- South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Friday, 28 April
2006 host his Central African Republic counterpart, President Francois Bozize,
for bilateral political and economic discussions, at the Presidential Guesthouse
in Tshwane. President Bozize's one-day working visit, comes within the context
of the need to strengthen bilateral political and economic relations between the
two countries whilst consolidating the African Agenda.
Points for discussions
between President Mbeki and President Bozize, are expected to include among others; Bilateral
issues: - Re-structuring the Defence Force of the Central African
Republic.
- Energy supply.
- Road transport and rural development
- Mineral exploration and assistance with the improved control of the diamond
industry
- The timber industry and strengthening the Congo Basin Partnership
Regional
issues: - Peace efforts in Chad
- The Democratic Republic
of Congo and the Great Lakes region
Multilateral issues: - Humanitarian
assistance for refugees in the North of CAR
- The African Union
President
Francois Bozize is expected to conclude his visit to South Africa on Saturday,
29 April 2006.
Economic relations
Bilateral trade with
the CAR is in favour of South Africa and has shown a slight decrease. The nature
of South Africa's exports to the CAR includes machinery, (Mining, drilling and
transport), spare parts, oil and refrigerators. Imports are low due to lower demand
from SA and scarcity of export commodities in the CAR. Diamonds and timber
are the main exports from the CAR to South Africa. The South African Diamond Company,
De Beers, has established an office in the CAR and is in the process of prospecting
diamonds. Some small South African companies and individuals are involved in mineral
exploration in the CAR. | South
African Exports (Rand 000) | | Exports | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | | Annual
Total | 4,261 | 3,235 | 4,567 | 5,466 | 2,369 | 5,024 | 8,397 | | South
African Imports (Rand 000) | | Imports | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | | Annual
Total | 363 | 17 | 134 | 1,127 | 4,465 | 843 | 1 | | Trade
Balance (Rand 000) | | Trade Balance
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | | Annual
Total | 4,258 | 3,218 | 4,433 | 4,439 | 2,096 | 4,181 | 8,396 |
Source:
www.thedti.gov.za Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa: 082 990 4853 C/o Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 26 April 2006
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