President Thabo Mbeki to host Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Tuesday 29 July 2008 hold bilateral political, economic and trade discussions at the Union Buildings in Pretoria with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who will pay his first State Visit to South Africa scheduled from Monday – Wednesday 28-30 July 2008.
President Thabo Mbeki will host the Egyptian President on this historic State Visit between the two countries with a view to further strengthening and consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.
South Africa hopes to build on Egypt’s support for the African Agenda, including the promotion of sustainable social and economic development, conflict-prevention, conflict resolution and peacekeeping and greater integration on the continent.
South Africa’s engagements with Egypt will further evaluate the bilateral consultation mechanism and develop a strategy to enhance economic relations in order to support AsgiSA and JIPSA.
Accordingly, issues on the agenda for discussions between Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday 29 July 2008 are expected to include, among others:
The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries. South Africa and Egypt convene regular Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) meetings. Seven sessions of the JBC have already taken place since 2005;
Peacekeeping, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and development on the Continent since Egypt currently hold’s a seat on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council;
The Middle East Peace process;
Developments in Lebanon and other regional matters;
The comprehensive reform of the United Nations including the global financial architecture; and
Other issues of mutual interest.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Promotion of economic relations
Having substantively consolidated political relations with Egypt in the past 14 years, more attention is required to strengthen economic links. Agreements on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments and on Trade were concluded with Egypt in 1998.
A memorandum of Understanding on Economic Co-operation is currently under consideration. An Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation entered into force in 1998. Other economic agreements include co-operation in the field of tourism, science and technology and air services. An agreement on maritime transport will be reviewed later this year. Agreements on co-operation in the field of environmental management and information and communications technology are currently under consideration.
In 2007 South Africa had a positive trade balance of R 260 721 000 with Egypt. South African exports to Egypt more than doubled in the same year, while imports declined significantly after an unusual high in 2006. The main exports are mainly base metals, vehicles and chemicals. Imports from Egypt are textiles, stone, machinery and vegetable products.
South African Companies and Products in Egypt:
Sun International (holiday village in Marsa Alam)
PetroSA
Murray and Roberts
Macsteel
Karstens Farms
ExpandaDoor
SASOL
Graham Retief Farms in Paarl, supplies grapes to Al-Ahram Beverages.
