|
President Mbeki to Co-Chair SA-Namibia Head of State Economic
Bilateral Forum Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki, will on
Tuesday 21 November 2006 pay a working visit to Windhoek, Namibia where he will
together with his counterpart President Hifikepunye Pohamba co-chair the 6th session
of the South Africa - Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral Forum scheduled
for later in the day. President Mbeki's delegation is expected to include
Ministers Mandisi Mphalwa, Martinus van Schalkwyk and Alec Erwin. President
Mbeki will participate in this session of the Economic Bilateral Forum within
the context of South Africa's commitment to consolidate economic bilateral relations
with Namibia. Issues on the agenda of discussions of this session of the
Economic Bilateral Forum are expected to include, among others: - Spatial
Development Initiatives (SDI) including the Trans-Kalahari Highway, Walvis Bay
SDI, Okavango-Upper Zambezi International Tourism and the Ais-Ais-Richtersveld
Transfrontier Park;
- Energy Issues including the Kudu Gas Project, Western
Power Corridor and the SAPP Intergovernmental MoU;
- Trade and Industry
Issues including the SACU and SADC Protocols;
- Marine and Coastal Management
Issues;
- Civil aviation issues; and
- Namibia's support during the
2010 FIFA World Cup.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Namibia
accounts for two thirds of Namibia's total foreign trade. South Africa is the
source of about 84% of Namibia's imports by value, including virtually all commodities
except for petroleum products. Food, beverages and increasingly machinery and
transport equipment as well as other manufactured goods are the biggest import
categories. Namibia's exports to South Africa are estimated at 27.8% of the country's
total exports and consist mainly of live animals, meat, fish and mineral products. South
Africa is Namibia's most important economic partner as South Africa is the source
of 84% of Namibia's imports and holds approximately 80% of investments in key
industries in Namibia such as mining, retail, banking and insurance. Total investments
by South Africa in Namibia currently amount to US$1 637.5 million. President
Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Tuesday 21 November 2006. Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 20 November 2006 | 
