President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Vietnam ahead of State Visit

Hanoi - South African President Thabo Mbeki today Wednesday 23 May 2007 arrived in Hanoi ahead of his first State Visit to Vietnam scheduled from Thursday-Friday 24-25 May 2007.

President Mbeki will be supported by Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Buyelwa Sonjica and Naledi Pandor and Deputy Ministers Mluleki George and Rob Davies.

President Mbeki's visit comes within the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthening political, economic and trade relations with Vietnam within the broad framework of consolidating South-South relations.

In Vietnam President Mbeki is expected among others to hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart President Minh Triet tomorrow Thursday 24 May 2007 during which issues on the agenda of discussions are expected to include, among others:

• The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries;
• The support of Vietnam for AsgiSA and JIPSA in terms of skills development and the sharing of best practice;
• A briefing on developments in Africa with regard to post-conflict reconstruction in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, Sudan, Darfur, Somalia and Cote d' Ivoire
• Developments in the Middle East including the Iranian nuclear conflict, Iraq and the Middle East Peace process;
• A briefing on developments in Asia including Myanmar, East Timor and North Korea:
• The consolidation of South-South co-operation through and within such fora as the NAM, the New Asia Africa Strategic Partnership (NAASP) and other multilateral organisations; and
• Global challenges including South Africa's mandate as the Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) including UN Security Council.

There exists a large potential for economic relations especially for the private sector to take up business opportunities in Vietnam. There are many long term and investment opportunities for South African companies in Vietnam.

In addition President Mbeki and his delegation are expected to meet with the revered General Jiap; address the South Africa-Vietnam Business Forum; address the Vietnamese Institute of International Relations; visit the Temple of Literature and the Reunification Palace and War Museum.

President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Saturday 26 May 2007.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Vietnam's exports to South Africa are mainly footwear and vegetable products, mineral products, textiles and textile products, machinery and mechanical appliances.

South Africa's exports to Vietnam include base metals and articles of base metals, wood and articles of wood, machinery and mechanical appliances, prepared foodstuffs, products of chemical and allied industries, live animals and animal products and wood pulp.

There are long-term trade and investment opportunities for South African companies in Vietnam.

Opportunities are mainly in the transport and mining sector, including road and infrastructure projects. Good potential exists for increased South African exports of mining equipment and mineral products, automotives, medical equipment and products such as antiretroviral drugs, agricultural products including timber, leather, wine, machinery and general trading commodities and services. South African companies can also benefit from bidding on projects (and winning) such as building construction, road construction, telecommunication, electricity, water management and purification.

South Africa has grown as a tourist destination and there has been an increase of Vietnamese visitors to South Africa over the past few years. In the long term, the increase of visitors could lead to the introduction of direct flights between South Africa and Vietnam.

TRADE STATISTICS IN RAND VALUE

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

23 May 2007