Media Statement
13 October 2015
President Zuma to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo
At the invitation of His Excellency President Joseph Kabila Kabange of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), His Excellency President Jacob Zuma will visit the DRC on 16 October 2015 on the occasion of the 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and the DRC.
The 9th SA-DRC BNC will be preceded by a ministerial meeting to be held on 15 October 2015 and a senior officials’ meeting from 13 to 14 October 2015.
South Africa and the DRC maintain good diplomatic and political relations. The highest expression of the quality and significance of these diplomatic relations is the annual BNC co-chaired by the Heads of State. The BNC includes Commissions on Politics and Governance; Defence and Security; Economics, Finance and Infrastructure; and Humanitarian and Social Affairs.
During their official talks, the two Presidents will review a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
The two Presidents will further review progress made with the implementation of bilateral projects.
The two countries cooperate in several projects covering various fields, including security sector reform, infrastructure development, capacity and institutional building, humanitarian and social matters.
South Africa is the DRC’s biggest supplier of foreign goods and services, providing more than 20% of the country’s total imports. Bilateral trade increased from R11 billion in 2012 to R 13 billion in 2014.
The two Heads of State will also take the opportunity presented by the BNC to exchange views on the peace, security, stability and development on the Continent, paying particular focus in the Great Lakes Region.
Enquiries: Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
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0084
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