RIYADH, 12 April 2004 — Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Hashim Yamani will lead a Saudi delegation to South Africa at the end of May. The delegation will take part in the first ministerial commission meeting between the two countries. Various sectors of commerce and industry, including the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CSCCI), will be members of the group.
“The visit is a great development in the bilateral relationships between South Africa and Saudi Arabia, especially since we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of our independence day on April 27,” South African Ambassador Abdulhamied Gabier told Arab News.
Ambassador Gabier said issues to be taken up included trade and industrial cooperation as well as collaboration in education, defense, sports and science. He added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the protection of investments is also expected to be signed during the visit.
“We also hope to finalize an MoU between South African Education Minister Abdulkader Asmal and his Saudi counterpart during the visit,” the ambassador said, adding that an MoU dealing sports is also being prepared.
Stressing the excellent bilateral ties, he said South African officials have been visiting Saudi Arabia and vice versa. “Former President Nelson Mandela was in the Kingdom two weeks ago on a personal visit. President Tabo Mbeki has also visited the Kingdom. Several South African ministers have also visited the Kingdom,” he said.
Saudi officials have also visited South Africa. These include Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, Prince Sultan, second deputy premier, defense minister and inspector general and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal among others.
Trade between the two countries amounts to $2 billion annually, excluding oil and oil-related products. “We import about 40 percent of our oil requirements from Saudi Arabia,” the ambassador said, adding that Pretoria is Riyadh’s biggest trading partner in Africa. South African exports to the Kingdom include agricultural products, gold, diamonds, livestock and minerals.
