Opening Remarks by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Sue van der Merwe on the occasion of the France-South Africa Forum, Sandton, Monday, 13 November 2006

Minister-Delegue for Foreign Trade, Ms Christine Lagarde
Chairman of Busa, Patrice Motsepe
Your Excellences
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a great pleasure to be here this morning on behalf of the South African government, to welcome Minister Lagarde and the business delegation from France to South Africa and this first France-South Africa Forum.

Our thanks goes to the French government for its support of the forum and also to the various business organisations, including MEDEF from France and BUSA, Business Unity South Africa for making this event possible.

While our bi-lateral political relationship with the government of France is excellent, it is also important that such a large number of French companies have significant interests and investment in our country. It is a positive indicator of the fact that increasingly our relationships with international partners are focusing on strengthening our economic ties in order to fulfil our domestic objectives of growing our economy and the achievement of a better life for all our people.

It is now commonly accepted that while peace and security are essential elements of progress, we will not achieve sustainable long-term stability without economic growth and human development. This applies equally to our own country as well as to the rest of the continent.

In this regard, South Africa believes that our future is inextricably linked to that of our neighbours in the Southern African region and indeed with the continent as a whole. We, as a country, spend considerable human and financial resources on peace and post conflict reconstruction efforts on the continent, in the belief that peace and prosperity will benefit not only the people of our neighbouring countries but also us in South Africa, and that such stability will open up markets for our goods, and will ultimately allow us to achieve our domestic objectives. Once again France has been an active partner with us in thee efforts in many countries on the continent.

It is encouraging therefore that there has a generally positive trend in Africa in this regard with the World Bank reporting last year that Africa's economy grew by an average of 4.4% with virtually every country on the continent showing positive growth.

The report goes on to say that:

"The region is projected to grow by 4.1% in 2005 as the benefits of past reforms and a more peaceful environment continues to translate into expanded economic activity."

We are particularly pleased that Forums such as this have been established. We are committed to making a contribution to platforms such as this to engage other countries in partnerships and collaborative programmes to advance our objectives.

However, we do not underestimate the challenges that we face as a nation and as a continent. Such challenges can only be addressed collaboratively between us and with our partners in the North to find solutions to complex and difficult problems.

This forum I have no doubt will make its contribution to these debates.

I noticed that one of the agenda items is the FIFA World Cup in 2010. We look forward to welcoming the French team and supporters as previous host of the World Cup and former world champions to South Africa in 2010. We regard this as an opportunity to showcase South Africa as a fabulous tourist destination and a winning nation. The preparations for the event are progressing according to schedule and we hope to able to count on France's support to help ensure the success of the tournament here.

Once again Madame Minister and distinguished delegates, a warm welcome to South Africa and I wish you all the best in your deliberations during the next two days.

Thank you