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Press Release
01 November 2012
Deputy Minister Ebrahim undertakes Working Visit to India
International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim is expected to arrive in India today, 01 November 2012, for a working visit relating to a high level meeting of the India Ocean Rim Association Cooperation (IOR-ARC), scheduled for 02 November 2012.
This is the 12th Meeting of the Council of Ministers and South Africa, as a founding member, continues to play a leading role in the IOR-ARC, recognising the strategic and geo-political significance of the Indian Ocean Rim.
The visit takes place within the context of South Africa promoting the African Agenda and strengthening South-South Cooperation with a view to creating political, economic and social convergence against poverty, under-development and marginalization.
Members of the IOR-ARC include the following countries: India; Australia; Indonesia; Iran; Kenya; Madagascar; Malaysia; Mauritius; Mozambique; Oman; Seychelles; Singapore; South Africa; Sri-Lanka; Tanzania; Thailand; United Arab Emirates; Yemen; China; Egypt; France; Japan and the United Kingdom.
The IOR-ARC Member States include some key economic anchor states, which are engines of economic growth in their respective regions. The Trade Route Optimization in the Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface, boasting a coastline of 66,526 km. The significance of this trade route presents several opportunities for a coastal state such as South Africa, particularly from a trade facilitation vantage point.
Deputy Minister Ebrahim is supported by senior officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation; Department of Transport and the Department of Tourism.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, +27 82 884 5974.
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
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