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Minister Dlamini Zuma to Host Colombian Counterpart, Foreign
Minister Carolina Barco Pretoria - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma will host her Colombian counterpart Foreign Minister Carolina Barco
for bilateral political and economic discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse
in Pretoria on Monday, 19 June 2006. The visit to South Africa by Foreign
Minister Barco comes within the context of the need to consolidate and strengthen
bilateral political and economic relations between South African and Colombia. In
this regard, issues on the agenda of discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma
and Barco are expected to include, among others: - The status of bilateral
political and economic discussions between both countries;
- The exchange
of business delegations between both countries with a view to investigating business
opportunities and increasing foreign direct investment;
- A briefing on
conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa; and
- A briefing by Minister
Barco regarding developments in the region.
While in South Africa
Minister Barco will also hold discussions with representatives from the Institute
for Justice and Reconciliation, the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations,
address the South African Institute of International Affairs and UNISA, and meet
with Latin American Ambassadors resident in South Africa. Minister Barco
will depart South Africa on Monday, 3 July 2006. Bilateral Economic Relations In
terms of bilateral trade, South Africa and Colombia have traditionally registered
a constant flow of economic activity, with South Africa maintaining a favourable
positive balance. In July 2005, SABMiller purchased Grupo Empresarial Bavaria,
the Colombian brewer, in a deal worth US$8 billion, thus joining Anglo American
as South African companies active in Colombia. Anglo Coal operates an open pit
coal mine in the region of La Guarija. AngloGold Ashanti announced on 4 June 2006
that it has formed a joint venture company with the Toronto-listed Bema Gold company,
to explore for gold in Colombia. South African Exports to Colombia: 2005:
R250 665 000
2004: R255 427 000
2003: R323 595 000 South African
Imports from Colombia: 2005: R195 372 000
2004: R209 731 000
2003:
R104 392 000
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department
of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 18 June 2006
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