South Africa to finalise Launch of SA Satellite Deal with Russia

Moscow- South Africa is looking forward to the finalization of details of the launch of a South African satellite, Sumbandila, in the Russian Federation later this year, said South Africa’s Foreign Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in Moscow over the weekend.

“In this regard it was agreed that consultations between South Africa and Russia would be held not later than the end of June 2008 to thrash out details of the launch of the South African satellite, Sumbandila” said Minister Dlamini Zuma

Minister Dlamini Zuma is in Russia where she co-chaired alongside Russian Minister of Natural Resources Yuri Trutnev the 7th Session of the Joint SA-Russia Inter-Governmental Trade and Economic Commission (ITEC) held in Moscow over the weekend.

The Trade and Economic Commission was attended by a high-level South African government and business delegation including Minerals and Energy Director-General Adv. Sandile Nogxina and representatives of Eskom, Umthobo Resources, Diamond Trader, Mintek, Petrosa, Patmin, Pelawan and Sekoko Mining.

Significant progress was made during this session of ITEC which covered such areas as trade and investment, minerals and energy, transport, agriculture, water resources and forestry, science and technology and education.

As far as trade and investment is concerned ITEC noted the significant increase in trade flows between the two countries. In order to further enhance investment between the two countries ITEC agreed to conclude a Reciprocal Agreement on Promotion and Protection of investments before the end of 2008.

In the field of mining both Russia and South Africa agreed to actively identify exploration, mining and processing of projects in coal, uranium and platinum group of metals in Russia through South African-Russian Joint venture Enterprises. Both sides also agreed to promote a constructive working relationship between South Africa’s State Diamond Trader and Alrosa in the diamond industry with a strong focus on beneficiation in South Africa.

South Africa and Russia further agreed on the need for enhanced co-operation in the oil and gas sector and identified a number of areas of future co-operation. The two sides further agreed to continue their co-operation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma paid a working visit to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov during which practical and concrete steps to further strengthen South Africa-Russia relations were discussed.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will on Sunday depart from Moscow to Yokohama, Japan where she will join President Thabo Mbeki during deliberations of Tokyo International Conference on African Development scheduled Wednesday-Friday 28-30 May 2008.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

SA Embassy, Moscow, Russian Federation
25 May 2008