Media Statement
25 October 2016
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and her Austrian counterpart, Minister Sebastian Kurz, discuss trade and investment during a Bilateral meeting
On 24 October 2016, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, held a successful bilateral engagement with her Austrian counterpart, Sebastian Kurz, Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. Minister Kurz is visiting South Africa from 24 to 26 October 2016 with a 50-member Austrian business delegation, which includes the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, to explore business opportunities in South Africa.
The meeting discussed the growing relations between the two countries and how to build on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism. The MoU allows for regular bilateral consultations at senior officials’ level to review all aspects of bilateral relations, exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as on developments taking place in regional and international fora.
South Africa and Austria have a cordial trade and investment relationship, with total trade in 2015 amounting to R7,76 billion, while South African direct investments in Austria amounted to about R43 billion at the end of 2014 against about R10 billion Austrian investments in South Africa.
The ministers discussed possible increased trade and investment in South Africa in support of the five key national priorities and the Nine-Point Plan. They also touched on a number of regional and global issues, such as United Nations reform, migration, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, the situation in Syria and Libya, as well as the impact of Britain’s exit from the European Union on Europe.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also took the opportunity to congratulate and wish the people of Austria well on their National Day this week.
Enquiries: Clayson Monyela, +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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