| Italy
(Republic of) History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations
History of Relations
South Africa and Italy maintain excellent relations covering the full range of activities, both on a governmental level as well as in the private sector.
In 2003, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and Italy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Consultations establishing a framework for regular bilateral consultations at Ministerial or Deputy Ministerial level and regular meetings at Senior Officials level.
The focus remains on sustaining political dialogue and increasing economic cooperation between South Africa and Italy, focusing on the priorities of the National Development Plan (NDP). Both countries have signed a number of agreements in various areas of cooperation in fields such as science and technology, defence, police and water amongst others and are in the process of exploring further areas of cooperation in sectors such as environment.
Italy views South Africa as a strategic partner and a leader on the African continent. It is the eighth largest economy in the world and a member of the G20 and the G7. South Africa’s economic relations with Italy are strong and there is a growing interest in South Africa as an investment destination.
President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa met with the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr Giuseppe Conte on the margins of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan in June 2019, and also on the margins of the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France on 26 August 2019. The principals deliberated on issues of common interest including peace and security in Africa, defence cooperation and the expansion of economic relations between the two countries.
Italy and South Africa have engaged in a strategic partnership as equals based on shared values and converging interests, which include supporting peace, security and development in Africa, strengthening and reforming the multilateral system and promoting a more inclusive, efficient and equitable system of global governance.
Diplomatic Representation South
African Representation in Italy
H E Ms N N-J Ngcaba
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
South
African Embassy
Italian
Representation in South Africa
H E Dr P Cuculi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Italian Embassy Travel
Info Visa Requirements for South Africans For more information
contact the Consular Section of the Italian Embassy in Pretoria.
Health Requirements
May
apply from time to time and the local Italian Embassy must
be contacted in this regard. For further information go to Travelers' Health.
Climate
Summer (May-September)
is the hottest in the south. Spring and autumn are mild and sunny. Winter in the
south is drier and warmer than in the north. Mountain regions are colder with
heavy snowfalls in winter. What to wear: Cool clothing in summer (except
in mountains). Warmer clothes in south in winter but very warm clothes elsewhere.
Alpine wear for mountain resorts. For up-to-date weather information click here. Precautions Pickpocketing
and baggage theft can occur especially at railway stations and airports.
Currency
The monetary
unit is the Euro. For current exchange rates click here. State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings No Information Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.
Trade
Statistics
For current information on trade statistics
between South Africa and Italy, visit the website of the Department
of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.
Trade
Info Economic Relations with South Africa Trade Italy
was instrumental in having the EU economic sanctions lifted following the normalisation
of political activity in South Africa and was the first member of the Union to
sign an economic agreement with South Africa. Italy
is one of South Africa’s leading trading partners. This has been the case for
the past five years and in 2001 Italy was the 6th largest trading partner
of South Africa. South Africa's main exports to Italy are gold and coal, and also
include laminated iron and steel, machines, non-electrical appliances, hides and
skins, fruit, granite and wool, while South African imports from Italy consist
mainly of machine tools, office and other electronic equipment, industrial machinery
and telecommunications equipment. Italy is the
world's largest producer of gold jewellery and a large consumer of coal, which
are both available in vast quantities in South Africa. Gold and coal are South
Africa's major export commodities to Italy. There is also scope for increased
exports of platinum, titanium and ferro alloys. In
recent years, the number of bilateral visits by business and government delegations
has increased significantly and it is expected that these visits will further
strengthen the strong foundation upon which economic relations are based. During
the past twelve months, President Mbeki and Prime Minister Berlusconi have visited
the respective countries, while the Italian Deputy Minister of Productive Affairs
led a business delegation to South Africa in November 2002, as a follow-up to
the business delegation led by President Ciampi, during his State Visit to South
Africa, in March 2002. Investment Prior
to 1995, investment flows from Italy to South Africa were negligible as compared
with other major industrialised countries. The situation, however, changed significantly
in 1997 and 1998 when Italian companies invested R 127 million and R
668 million respectively (a 426% increase over 1997). In 2000 investments
from Italy to South Africa amounted to R 119 million and in 2001 amounted
to Euro 11.8 million (R 90.7 million), ranking Italy amongst the 10th
largest investment partners for SA. (Rate of exchange in 2001: 1 Euro = Rand 7.687). These
figures are supplied by the Italian Exchange Office (Ufficio Italiano dei Cambi).
It must be borne in mind that 2001 was the start of the global economic downturn,
including as far as foreign direct investments were concerned, registering a 51%
collapse (the worst result in the last thirty years). Tourism In
terms of household expenditure by Italians, leisure (tourism) ranks 3rd
after food and housing. Italian tourists are described as attractive clientele
with the following characteristics: enjoy long stay travel (10-15 days), educated,
middle to upper class and seek high quality services. These characteristics normally
translate into higher per capita expenditure. A
total of 37 521 Italians travelled to South Africa in 2001. Current statistics
of SA Tourism indicate that there is a marked increase in the number of Italian
tourists choosing South Africa as a destination during 2002 (+ 7% in the first
six months). South Africa is at the moment perceived as a "value for money
" destination and is becoming a "fashionable" destination. Two
of the main reasons for this are:
the exchange rate and
After September 11, many tourists have preferred South Africa as a tourist destination.
Furthermore, South African Airways has recommenced
direct flights to Italy (Milan) with effect from 1 July 2002. Four direct flights
are currently operating and the popularity thereof would indicate that there is
a strong demand for travel, both business and leisure, to South Africa. In fact
the lack of capacity or limitation thereof may be an impediment to stronger growth
in tourism. Tourism from Italy may still be undervalued
by South African tour operators and this area could in the next few years potentially
play an increasingly significant role in relations with Italy. Investment by Italian
companies in the tourism infrastructure of South Africa may also bear fruit in
the future. Development Co-operation Italy has committed US$
20 million (approximately R190 million) for development assistance to South Africa
for the years 2002-2002, with two health projects in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
A framework agreement for these projects was signed during the State Visit by
president Ciampi to South Africa. The Italian Government had also donated
R15.5 million for higher education in South Africa during June 2001. Italian
ODA to South Africa is mainly channelled as multilateral ODA under the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) auspices. Italian funding for development
assistance to South Africa was increased for 2002 and South Africa is one of a
few African countries that receive Italian ODA. Italy has earmarked an indicative
amount of Euro 32 million for the period 2002-2004 iro their Multi-Indicative
Programme (MIP). The main sectors that will benefit are:
local government education
health
social sectors SMME development
Italian resources targeted the poorer regions in South Africa and are followed
closely with South African developmental guidelines and priorities.
Interest
Groups and Information 1. Italian South African Chamber of Commerce Johannesburg Tel
: (011) 728 89 13 Fax : (011) 728 8917 President : Dr Castellari 2.
Italian Club Pretoria (Club Sociale Italiano) Tel : (012) 335 2982 Fax
: (012) 335 2580 Comites (Association of Italians Abroad) Tel : (011)
880 9003 Pres Dr M Mariano 3. Italian Foreign Trade Commission 42
Chester Road 2193 Parkwood Johannesburg PO Box 1261 2121 Parklands South
Africa Director: Ms Bruna Santarelli Tel : (011) 8808383 Fax
: (011) 8809040 / 8809041 E-mail: johannesburg@johannesburg.ice.it OTHER
USEFUL INFORMATION www.sudafrica.it SOUTH
AFRICAN TOURISM Ms Lidia Martinuzzi Manager Via Mascheroni,
19 (5th floor) 20145 Milan EMAIL: info@turismosudafricano.com www.turismosudafricano.com OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION www.sudafrica.it Stats
SA SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM Ms Lidia Martinuzzi Manager Via
Mascheroni, 19 (5th floor) 20145 Milan EMAIL: info@turismosudafricano.com
www.turismosudafricano.com | 
