SA, Japan extend partnership
Thabo Mokgola
30 September 2004
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad led a South African delegation to Japan this week for the 7th session of the South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum.
Issues on the agenda included South Africa's participation in the Aichi 2005 Expo; technology transfer proposals for the development of human capital in science and technology; the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme; trilateral cooperation with SADC countries; cooperation on agriculture development in SA; and twinning of hospitals.
Japan is actively involved in strengthening democracy and contributing to economic development in South Africa.
"By assisting South Africa to be a stable and prosperous hub in the southern African region, it is intended that the 'ripple effect' will spread to neighbouring states, furthering stability and peace, fostering democracy, good governance and market-orientated economic policies", the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Other departments
that participated in the forum included arts and culture, health, science and technology, trade and industry, agriculture and land affairs, education, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the SA Police Service.
Japan is South Africa's most important trade partner in Asia, and fourth most important in the world. Imports from Japan totalled over R19-billion in 2002, while SA exports to Japan totalled over R24-billion.
Thirty percent of all South African exports destined for Asia go to Japan, while 37.9% of the country's imports from Asia are from Japan.
South African imports from Japan consist mainly of machinery, mechanical appliances, vehicles and measuring and photographic equipment, whereas Japanese imports from South Africa mainly comprse mineral products and base metals.
Foreign direct investment from Japan since 1994 was last measured at approximately US$500-million. Direct investment in South Africa by more than 20 Japanese companies
to date is in excess of $400-million.
In 1999, Japan granted South Africa a second overseas development assistance package of $1.5-billion over five years (with a grant component of $100-million).
The transfer of technology which has accompanied Japanese investment is of long-term importance to the South African economy, the department said.
Source: BuaNews
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