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Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka to Host Minister-President of the Federal State of Baden- Wurttemberg
Pretoria – South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will on Monday 27 August 2007 host the Minister-President of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg Günther H Oettinger for bilateral trade and economic discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Minister-President Oettinger will visit South Africa from Monday – Friday 27-31 August 2007.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will host Minister-President Oettinger within the context of South Africa’s commitment to consolidate bilateral economic and trade relations with Baden-Württemberg.
In this regard, Germany has made substantial new investments into the South African economy since the 1994 democratic elections and remains one of our country's most important trading partners. German commitments towards development in South Africa so far amount to approximately Euro 262 million of bilateral financial and technical assistance.
The visit to South Africa by Minister-President Oettinger follows a visit to Baden-Württemberg by Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka in May 2007 and will provide an opportunity for South Africa to discuss best practice experiences with representatives of Baden-Württemberg in terms of small and medium sized enterprise development, preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be hosted by South Africa and co-operation between educational and academic institutions of Baden-Württemberg and South Africa.
Baden-Württemberg is Germany’s economically most successful region. It is the centre of business operations of internationally renowned corporations such as DaimlerChrysler, Porsche, Bosch, SAP, Zeiss and Würth. Additionally the state benefits from a powerful backbone of small and medium sized enterprises. These businesses and a tradition of branching out into different industrial sectors have ensured specialization over a wide range. With 125 patents registered per 100,000 residents, Baden-Württemberg is the number one region for inventions in Germany and Europe. The statistical agency of the EU has confirmed Baden-Württemberg as the centre of Europe’s high-technology industry.
In addition, numerous enterprises of Baden-Württemberg have over many years maintained intensive economic relations with South Africa. In 2006 alone South Africa imported goods from Baden-Württemberg valued at €1,3 Billion. At present, approximately 15 000 South Africans are employed by numerous companies originating in Baden-Württemberg, such as Daimler-Chrysler, Robert Bosch, Läpple, Lapp-Cable, Voith Turbo and Festo, to name a few.
Minister-President Oettinger is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Mbeki in Cape Town on Wednesday 29 August 2007.
While in South Africa, Minister-President Oettinger will have discussions with Deputy Ministers of Trade and Education Rob Davies and Enver Surty respectively. He will also meet with the Premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa, the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Nosimo Balindlena, as well as government representatives of the Western Cape and the Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille.
Bilateral Economic Trade Relations
(Rands Million) |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Imports from Germany |
43 645 |
49 197 |
53 892 |
Exports to Germany |
20 391 |
21 076 |
24 431 |
Trade deficit |
23 254 |
28 120 |
29 461 |
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Media Programme for visit to South Africa by Minister -President of the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Monday 27 – Friday 31 August 2007
Monday 27 – Friday 31 August 2007
Monday 27 August 2007
11h00 Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on
commencement of discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Minister-President Günther H Oettinger
Venue : Presidential Guesthouse
Bryntirion Estate
Church Street (Enter through Gate 9)
Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Thabang Chiloane on 082 888 8783
12h00 Arrival of Minister-President Oettinger
Photo opportunity
Bilateral discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Minister-President Oettinger
Photo opportunity
12h00 Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Minister-President Oettinger
Venue : Presidential Guesthouse
Bryntirion Estate
Church Street (Enter through Gate 9)
Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Thabang Chiloane on 082 888 8783
12h45 Joint press conference
For further information contact Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
26 August 2007
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