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The Completion of the Visit by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
to Asia Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka yesterday, 25 April 2006,
completed the second leg of her working visit to Asia that commenced on 19 April.
Aimed at communicating South Africa's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative
(AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA), the
visit started in Japan on 19 and 20 April and proceeded to Indonesia on 21 to
25 April 2006. The visit also aimed at consolidating and strengthening
existing political and economic relations between South Africa and the two countries.
In Japan, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka held fruitful discussions
with Prime Minister Koizumi and paid a courtesy call on crown Prince Naruhito
who is the eldest son of Emperor Akihito. Discussions centred primarily
on how the two countries could contribute to the successful implementation of
AsgiSA and JIPSA. Some of the people and organisations the Deputy President
also held talks with included the: - President of the Japan International
Co-operation Agency (JICA) Sadako Ogata.
- Chairperson of the Japan External
Trade Organisation (JETRO) Osamu Watanabe.
- Governor of the Japan Bank
for International Co-operation (JBIC);
- Vice-Chairperson of Toyota and
South African honorary Consul to Japan Mr Nakagawa; and
- Business executives
from Keidanren (Japanese Chamber of Commerce).
In Indonesia the Deputy
President had productive bilateral political and economic discussions with her
Indonesian counterpart Vice President Jusuf Kalla. The meeting focused largely
on the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries;
reflection on the New Africa-Asia Strategic Plan (ASEAN) developments since April
2005 and the way forward in the consolidation of economic relations between Africa
and Asia; developments in Africa including the consolidation of institutions of
the African Union (AU), co-operation between the Southern African Development
Community (SADC); the implementation of AsgiSA and JIPSA and suggested areas of
co-operation between both countries including mining, energy, telecommunications,
infrastructure, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and tourism. While
in Indonesia, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also paid a courtesy call
on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presented a lecture at the Indonesian
Council of world affairs and held discussions with the representatives of the
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). Accompanying the Deputy
President were the Minister of Minerals and Energy Lindiwe Hendricks and Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of Finance Mr Jabu
Moleketi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mr Rob Davies and Deputy Minister
of Environmental Affairs Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi. The Deputy President views
the visit as having been successful because all the parties that she engaged with
committed to partnering with South Africa in ensuring that the challenge of skills
acquisition is addressed promptly. Some of the areas of joint collaboration
that were agreed on include: - Training of engineers;
- Training
of artisans;
- Project management;
- Environmental management;
- Energy;
- City
and urban/regional planning;
- Training of managers;
- Placement of
under and post graduate trainees;
- Teaching of maths and science; and
- Language
training.
Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will brief the media further
on the outcomes of this visit on Tuesday, 2 May 2006, at 11h00 at the Media Centre,
Union Buildings, East Wing. Members of the media are invited and requested
to RSVP with Manusha Pillai at 082 389 3587. Enquiries: Zanele Mngadi
Cell:
082 781 9332 Issued by: The Presidency
26 April 2006
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