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President Mbeki to host Nigerian President Umari Yar’Adua on his Frist State Visit to South Africa
Cape Town – South African President Thabo Mbeki will host his Nigerian counterpart President Umari Yar’Adua for a three-day State Visit in Cape Town, scheduled from Monday – Thursday 2-5 June 2008. This is the first state visit by President Yar’Adua to South Africa since his election as President of Nigeria.
President Mbeki will host the Nigerian President within the context of South Africa’s commitment to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Nigeria within the framework of advancing the Consolidation of the African developmental agenda.
Bilateral political relations between South Africa and Nigeria are strong with Nigeria considered as one of South Africa’s important partners on the African continent in advancing the vision of Africa’s political and economic renewal.
The state visit takes place after the recently held South Africa – Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) led by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Nigerian Vice President Dr Goodluck Jonathan which concluded its business on 23 May 23 in Nigeria.
Discussions between President Mbeki and President Yar’Adua at Tuynhuys on Tuesday 3 June 2008 are expected to include, among others:
- The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries;
- The outcomes of the 4th session of the Tokyo International Conference for African Development hosted by Japan 28-30 May 2008;
- Preparations towards the 2009 Review Conference of the World Conference Against Racism, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance; including the recent attacks on foreigners in South Africa
- Developments within the continent including progress towards the political and economic integration of Africa; and
- Other issues of mutual interest and concern.
While in South Africa President Yar’Adua will also address the World Economic Forum being hosted in Cape Town, visit Robben Island World Heritage Site and interact with the Nigerian community based in South Africa.
President Yar’Adua is expected to return to Nigeria on Thursday 5 June 2008.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Within the West African region, Nigeria became South Africa’s largest export market in 2000 (followed by Ghana, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire). The country also became South Africa’s largest import trading partner in Africa in 2000.
| |
Export Values |
Import Values |
| 2000 |
R 707 million |
R 1,28 billion |
| 2001 |
R 1,6 billion |
R 1,6 billion |
| 2002 |
R 2,7 billion |
R 3,6 billion |
| 2003 |
R 2,5 billion |
R 2,7 billion |
| 2004 |
R 2.9 billion |
R5.2 billion |
| 2005 |
R 3.4 billion |
R4.2 billion |
| 2006 |
R 4 billion |
R9.3 billion |
| 2007 |
R 4.8 billion |
R12. 5 billion |
Main export products
Machinery & mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, sound & television recorders & reproducers & articles thereof. Wood & other fibrous cellulosic pulp, waste & paper/paperboard scrap, paper & paperboard articles. Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, vinegar & Tobacco. Plastics & rubber and articles thereof. Chemicals & allied products. Base metals & articles thereof.
There are also many South African companies operational in Nigeria. These include Game, Shoprite, NuMetro, Nandos, MTN which has captured nearly 50%, Standard Bank, DSTV Supersport, SAA, Eskom Enterprises, Spoornet, Denel, Engen, Sasol LTD, the Council of Geosciences, Standard Bank, Mintek, Kagiso publishing, Southern Sun and etc; an engineering firm, is leading a $3 billion redevelopment of Lagos's Bar Beach and Victoria Island waterfront. Another South African firm, Group Five, is building a power station in the Niger River delta.
Media Programme for the State Visit by President Alhaji Musa Umaru Yar’Adua
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
1 June 2008 |
