Russia eyes Mafikeng airport
Johannah Thakadu
Russia has expressed interest in establishing an aircraft repair and maintenance centre at Mafikeng Airport in North West province.
The airport stands to be one of the main beneficiaries of a co-operation agreement signed by Russia's Samara province and North West in September that covers trade, science, agriculture, aviation and manufacturing.
This week, a delegation led by Samara Governor Konstantin Titov arrived in Mafikeng.
"The airport has been chosen as the first to be revitalised because in the past it was only used for passengers while it has the potential to also deliver cargo," said Tshepiso Letselela, spokesman for the provincial government.
Letselela said the cargo airport could be useful in delivering goods to the rest of Africa, given the province's proximity to neighbouring countries like Botswana.
North West Premier Popo Molefe, who welcomed the delegation, said: "Establishing a specialist aircraft repair and maintenance centre is one area in which we want to move rapidly on."
Titov said North West has major expertise in aviation that will benefit both provinces, adding that Mafikeng airport is an ideal place for both provinces to trade in goods.
Letselela said a number of companies had expressed interest in developing the airport, and that a committee had been established to handle the project.
SA, Russia cement ties
South Africa and Russia strengthened their relations when the two countries' delegations met in Moscow this week for the third session of the Joint Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, accompanied by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Deputy Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Dirk du Toi, co-chaired the three-day meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Yakovlev.
The meeting followed a June visit to Moscow by officials of the department of trade and industry during which a South African Trade Centre to showcase SA export products was established.
Co-operation on science and technology projects is already under way through visits between members of the research institutions of the two countries.
Future areas of co-operation have also been identified by the Academy of Sciences of South Africa, the South African Astronomical Observatory, PetroSA, the National Laser Centre, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Sasol and their Russian counterparts.
Source: BuaNews
