President Jacob Zuma to undertake State Visit to Brazil, 08-09 October 2009

Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by Mrs Zuma, will undertake a State Visit to the Republic of Brazil from 08-09 October 2009,  President Zuma will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana Mashabane, Minister of Sport and Recreation, Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies and senior government officials.

President Jacob Zuma’s State Visit takes place within the context of consolidating South-South cooperation, strengthening the existing bilateral ties and regional partnership and deepening cooperation on the trilateral and multilateral levels between South Africa and Brazil. Accordingly, it is expected that formal discussions between President Jacob Zuma and his Brazilian counterpart, President Lula da Silva will focus, among other things, on the :

• Re-launch the SA-Brazil Joint Commission as a vehicle for servicing bilateral relations;
• Exploration of possible trilateral cooperation between SA and Brazil in Africa and Latin America. Both South Africa and Brazil are committed to and involved in triangular cooperation in third countries in their respective regions;
• Exchange ideas on combating social challenges, namely poverty, unemployment, human settlement challenges;
• Enhancement of people-to-people cooperation and increased trade and investment promotion
• Outcomes of the 64th Session of UNGA and G20 and the Africa-South America Summit (ASA).

It is envisaged that two agreements will be signed following the bilateral discussions between the Presidents:

• A Memorandum of Understanding between the respective Departments of Trade and Industry on the Promotion of Trade and Investment:
• An Agreement on Sports Cooperation for the years 2009-2011 between the respective Ministries of Sport.

President Jacob Zuma’s Brasilia leg will be preceded by a visit to Sao Polo on 08 October 2009 where President Zuma is expected to participate in ‘A Business Roundtable’ at the World Trade Centre. On this occasion the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Rob Davies will address about 100 business executives and opinion leaders, and members of the World Trade Centre Business Club.

While in Sao Paulo President Zuma is also expected to deliver a keynote address at the Luncheon following a soccer presentation on the 2010 World Cup by Sports Minister, Rev Makhenkesi Stofile to business leaders and sports personalities.

President Zuma and his delegation is expected to return to South Africa on 10 October 2009.                                

Bilateral Relations Sa-Brazil

The relationship between the two countries has evolved remarkably over the past ten years. Both countries share a very strong political and economic relationship at various levels: country-country (Joint Commission); trilateral (IBSA); and regional economic development (SACU-MERCOSUR). Both countries face serious challenges of unemployment, unequal distribution of income and sluggish economic growth. Several high-level visits have taken place since the return of democracy in South Africa.

In an endeavour to strengthen economic relations with Brazil, numerous export and investment missions to Brazil have been facilitated since November 2005. Different sectors were represented in these missions, ranging from mining, wine, information and telecommunications (ICT), auto, capital equipment and arts and crafts sectors. Similar missions have been organized to South Africa for the Brazilian business community.

Bilateral Trade

In 2008 total trade between Brazil and South Africa reached US$ 2.52 billion from US$ 2.2 in 2007. We have witnessed a remarkable increase of 48% of SA exports to Brazil in 2008, which translates in a 25% trade deficit reduction (from US$1.2 billion in 2007 to less than US$1 billion in 2008).

For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0001

07 October 2009