9 June 2005

President Thabo Mbeki says South Africa and Chile should share ideas and engage in practical programmes to free both countries from the burden of poverty.

Speaking in Chile on Wednesday during a two-day state visit to the South American country, Mbeki said that the African Union (AU) and the Community of South American Nations should work together to ensure respect for human rights.

"We should collaborate, share ideas, and engage in practical programmes that would ensure that our people experience prosperity and move away from the undesirable situation of underdevelopment and exclusion," Mbeki told a joint sitting of Chile's two Houses of Congress in Valparaiso.

Mbeki, accompanied on his visit by Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks, held discusssions with Chilean President Ricardo Escobar on Tuesday.

According to Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa, issues on the agenda included building South-South relations, co-operation between SA and Chile on peacekeeping and disaster management, and people-to-people co-operation through cultural, sport and academic exchanges.

Also on Tuesday, Mbeki was declared a Guest of Honour of the City of Santiago before being awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Chile.

Still in Santiago, Mbeki held discussions with the President of Chile's Supreme Court, Marcos Libedinsky, and attended a business luncheon hosted by the president of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, Carlos Jorquiera.

Rapid growth in recent years has seen large foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into Chile. It is estimated that about US$8-billion in FDI is related to companies with South African links, such as Anglo-American and Liberty Life.

While South Africa is a modest market for Chilean exports, the country is by far Chile's largest African trading partner, with 60% of Chile's exports to Africa destined for SA.

Trade between South Africa and Chile is concentrated in the primary and semi-processed metal, chemical and agricultural (herbicide/insecticide) sectors.

The top export from SA to Chile is steel and steel products, which acount for 61% of total exports.

Source: BuaNews

Charter to improve healthcare Over 2-million tax forms submitted MeteoSat training centre launched Bringing equality to the people Fund to maintain African heritage London: seven SA missing are safe SA launches Braille wine bottle Happy Birthday, Mr Mandela MK soldiers' families find peace Village ventures into beekeeping

BuaNews Online
Quick & easy access to government-related news, features & information.


SABCnews.com
Online news from South Africa's national broadcaster.


Online version of South Africa's leading isiZulu newspaper.


Breaking news - in Afrikaans.


South Africa, Africa & the world - 24/seven.

	SA, India, Brazil commission meets SA, India, Brazil eye trade bloc SA trade with South America SA, Brazil sign defence pact

	Department of Foreign Affairs  SA Embassy in Chile  African Union

International relations update News on South Africa's relations with the rest of Africa and the world.