BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/07/2007

South Africa: SA, Belarus to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Bongani Mlangeni;

South Africa and Belarus are to strengthen their bilateral ties as South Africa's Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma meets her Belarusian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergei Nikolayevich Martynov in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday.

Discussions will focus on consolidating and strengthening bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries, according to a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday.

According to the department issues on the agenda include:

* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between both countries including areas of future engagement and co-operation;

* Belarusian support for promoting the African agenda;

* nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;

* the conflict in the Middle East; and

* co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations (UN) and the comprehensive reform of the UN.

Ms Dlamini Zuma will also to unveil on Thursday the South Africa - Belarus Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) which was signed into law in August 2006.

The ITEC consists of the following sub-committees: Minerals and Energy, Science and Technology and Trade, Investment and Banking. These committees will investigate further areas of co-operation between both countries.

During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma will on Friday receive the award of Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University.

While in Belarus, Minister Dlamini Zuma is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Aleksander Lukashenko, meet with the Chairperson of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, and the Deputy Chairperson of the "Belarusian Women's Union".

Minister Dlamini Zuma will also be accompanied by Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Rob Davies.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday.

"The potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa remains significant, and has, and still could present South African businesses with excellent opportunities," according to the department.

Trade between South Africa and Belarus according to the Belarusian 2006 statistics is $15 million.

South African imports of potassium fertilisers (main import), refrigerators, flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts amount to $6 million.

Belarus also exports fully assembled low cost agricultural tractors and large dump trucks for the mining industry.

South African exports of diamonds, veneer sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods are $4 million.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200707040591.html