Minister Dlamini Zuma to lead South African delegation to the South Africa - Tunisia Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) in Tunis, Tunisia, 8 – 9 September 2008

Pretoria – South African Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today, Monday 8 September depart from Italy to Tunisia where she will lead the South African government delegation to the Fifth Session of the South Africa-Tunisia Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) scheduled for Monday and Tuesday 8 – 9 September 2008.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will co-chair the JBC with the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Abdelwahab Abdallah within the context of South Africa’s commitment to further strengthen and consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries within the broad framework advancing the Consolidation of the African Agenda. 

In this regard, after four previous successful Joint Bilateral Commission meetings, during which more than 20 agreements were signed, the 5th JBC will focus mainly on the implementation of the existing agreements.

Issues to be discussed between South Africa and Tunisia include amongst others co-operation in the fields of:

• Trade and industry;
• Arts and culture;
• Science and technology;
• Health;
• Information and communications technology (ICT);
• Defence;
• Energy;
• Agriculture;
• Education; and
• Employment

Bilateral Political Relations

South Africa and Tunisia enjoy a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship and the Tunisian government is supportive of issues that are important to both Africa and the African Renaissance.

Tunisia is also one of the 15 core countries of NEPAD and is therefore an important partner within North Africa and within Francophone Africa.

President Mbeki paid a State Visit to Tunisia in October 2004 and he led a South African delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunisia in November 2005.

More recently, the Tunisian President, His Excellency Ben Ali, paid a private visit to South Africa in March 2008.

Bilateral Trade Relations

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Tunisia is growing and has recently turned in South Africa’s favour.

South Africa exports mostly manufactured vehicles and chemical products to Tunisia and it imports mostly textiles, appliances and electrical equipment from Tunisia.

Trade between South Africa and Tunisia in 2007:

• Exports to Tunisia          110,840 million Rand
• Imports from Tunisia       74,352 million Rand

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

08 September 2008