President Motlanthe to depart for IBSA Summit, India

Pretoria - South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, supported by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today Monday 13 October 2008 in his first official visit abroad in his capacity as Head of State, depart for New Delhi, for the third IBSA (India-Brazil-SA) Summit scheduled for Wednesday 15 October 2008.

President Motlanthe will in this context attend the Summit with his Indian and Brazilian counterparts Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva respectively.

President Motlanthe’s delegation will also include Ministers Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Lindiwe Sisulu and Bulelwa Sonjica as well as a large business delegation.

President Motlanthe will attend the IBSA Summit within the context of advancing South Africa’s economic interests within the framework of advancing South-South co-operation. 

Since its formation in 2003, IBSA has become instrumental in promoting closer coordination on global political, economic, social and multilateral issues between South Africa, India and Brazil, the three of which represent large multicultural, multiracial, democratic developing countries from three different continents.

The Summit will be preceded by several people-to-people fora meetings in the areas of business and women affairs. The South African business delegation will comprise approximately 28 members of leading South African companies.

More details about the IBSA Summit will be released during the press briefing scheduled for 14h00 on Tuesday 14 October at the Union Buildings, which will be addressed by Foreign Affairs Director-General Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

13 October 2008