Foreign Affairs Minister Dlamini Zuma pledges to build on Relations developed during Anti-Apartheid Struggle at the start of a Three Day Official Visit to Belarus (5-7 July 2007)

Minsk - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived in Minsk, Belarus today, Thursday 5 July 2007 for bilateral discussions and the launch of the South Africa - Belarus Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) scheduled for Thursday - Saturday 5-7 July 2007.

Addressing the local media following a courtesy call to the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Alexander Lukashenko and initial bilateral discussions with her Belarusian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergei Nikolayevich Martynov, Minister Dlamini Zuma said:

"Our fraternal ties with the sister people of Belarus, which were sharpened during the anti-apartheid struggle will be further developed with the launch of the South Africa-Belarus ITEC. We are committed to further strengthening economic co-operation which unfortunately lags far behind our political relations."

Minister Dlamini Zuma, accompanied by Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy Minister Rob Davies, participated in the opening session of the South Africa- Belarus ITEC and commended the government and people of Belarus for their high-tech knowledge base and concluded by saying;" Our two countries' economies have complementaries that can be beneficial to both our sister nations."

Further bilateral discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Sergei Martynov are expected to include,:

• The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between both countries including areas of future engagement and co-operation;
• Belarusian support for the promotion of the African agenda;
• Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;
• The conflict in the Middle- East ; and
• Co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations and the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
  

The South Africa- Belarus ITEC, was signed into law in August 2006 and consists of the following sub-committees: Minerals and Energy, Science and Technology and Trade, Investment and Banking. These committees will investigate further areas of co-operation between both countries.

During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma will on Friday 6 July 2007 receive the award of Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University and address the University community .The Minister will also hold discussions with the chairperson of the House of Representative of the National Assembly, Mr V. Konoplev and the Deputy Chairperson of the Belarusian Union of Women.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday 8 July 2007.


Bilateral Economic Relations

The potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa remains significant, and has, and still could present South African businesses with excellent opportunities.

Current bilateral trade as per Belarusian 2006 statistics is US$ 15 million. South African imports of potassium fertilisers (main import), refrigerators, flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts amount to US$ 6 Million. Belarus also exports fully assembled low cost agricultural tractors and large dump trucks for the mining industry. South African exports of diamonds, veneer sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods amounted to US$ 4 Million.

Trade between South Africa and Belarus (all figures in ZAR)

All figures R' 000

Contact: Vincent Hlongwane-+27 82 385 1169

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

5 July 2007