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Press Release
07 October 2012
Deputy President Motlanthe to undertake Working Visit to Italy
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will visit the Republic of Italy for a Working Visit on 09 - 10 October 2012. The Deputy President will be accompanied on this visit by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Malusi Gigaba, and senior government officials.
During his visit, the Deputy President will meet with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti in order to review the scope of relations between South Africa and Italy and identify possible further areas of cooperation. The discussions will also include exchange of views on developments in Europe and Africa, as well as multilateral issues of mutual interest.
At the invitation of Confindustria, an association of leading Italian industrialists and manufacturers, Deputy President Motlanthe will address a business luncheon on South Africa’s Infrastructure Development Programme and opportunities for investment.
Furthermore, the Deputy President will attend the 35th Anniversary celebration of the Solidarity Pact between City of Reggio Emilia and South Africa. On this occasion, there will be an exhibition “Reggio Africa” and an official opening of “Reggio Africa Archive”, which hosts historical documents on Africa and particularly South Africa. The community of Reggio Emilia played an active role in supporting the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa.
Italy is one of South Africa’s leading trade and investment partners. In 2011, it was ranked as South Africa’s 11th trade partner with total exports to Italy amounting to R14.6 billion. In 2009, the inflows of foreign direct investments stood at R4.4 billion. Italy is also a key tourism market for South Africa. In 2011 a total of 54 000 Italian tourists visited South Africa.
Relations between South Africa and Italy have been strengthened through interaction at bilateral and multilateral levels, specifically within the context of the European Union, the G8, G20, the support for and the implementation of the G8 Africa Action Plan through NEPAD and the United Nations, principally with regard to peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts.
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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