Deputy President arrives in Paris, France for Bilateral Relations Enhancement

Paris - The Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has arrived in Paris, France for an official visit to France.

During her visit, starting today until 14 October, the Deputy President is expected to hold bilateral discussions with her counterpart French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and pay a courtesy call on President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Deputy President, who is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe and Northern Cape Premier Dipuo Peters, will meet the Council of French Investors in Africa and the Mouvement des Entreprises de France to entice French business to further invest in South Africa.
France counts among South Africa’s top 10 economic partners, with bilateral trade totaling some R25 billion (about Euro 2,5 billion) in 2006. France is an important investor in South Africa’s economy and about 150 French companies, including multinationals such as Total, Alcatel, Renault, Lafarge and Danone, are represented in South Africa.
She will also meet with the 20 Engineering Masters Students studying at the Area University in Paris sponsored by Areva Company through the JIPSA programme. The students will be here in France for two years undergoing an intensive programme aimed at increasing the number of Project Managers in South Africa.

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka will also participate in the Third Edition of the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society 2007 in Deauville. She will participate in a plenary debate titled “Strengthening social cohesion, building trust: Some ways ahead”.

The Deputy President’s visit to France comes within the context of South Africa’s efforts to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with France within the context of advancing North-South co-operation.

South Africa and France enjoy cordial political relations characterised by regular high-level dialogue, diverse bilateral cooperation programmes and growing bilateral trade. In this regard, engagements between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and the French government will seek to achieve:

• The strengthening of bilateral relations between South Africa and the new French Government;
• Discuss the proposed visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s to South Africa in 2008;
• Soliciting support from the new French administration for the African Agenda through support for conflict-resolution on the continent and the promotion of Social and economic development;
• The improvement of trade and investment relations with France and the European Union;
• The forthcoming Africa-EU Summit in Portugal; and
• Review of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly

In a move to enhance nation building and social cohesion, the Deputy President will meet the National rugby team on Saturday to wish them luck for forthcoming match on Sunday evening.

Issued by Thabang Chiloane 0033673675764 or 082 990 4853

The Presidency
Union Building
City of Tshwane