3 November 2004

Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma wrapped up her visit to Brazil on the weekend, after holding talks with her Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim, aimed at strengthening political and economic ties between the two countries.

The talks were part of the third joint binational commission involving the two countries, which saw the ironing out of cooperation strategies in various sectors, including minerals and energy, environmental affairs, health, agriculture, transport and defence.

Brazil is South Africa's biggest trading partner in Latin America, exporting mostly animal and vegetable oils, tobacco, mineral fuels, organic chemicals, raw hides and skins and leather, ceramic products, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical machinery and equipment, and vehicles and parts.

South Africa exports precious stones and metal, anthracite and coal, iron and steel, miscellaneous chemical products, organic chemicals, machinery and mechanical appliances, paper and paperboard to Brazil in a multi-million rand trade exchange.

The meeting between Dlamini-Zuma and Amorim also touched on the proposed reform of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the World Bank.

South Africa, Brazil and India have joined forces in calling for reforms in these key global organisations. The trio are seeking permanent seats in the UN Security Council - in competition with stiff challenges from Germany, Pakistan and Egypt, among others.

The South African and Brazilian authorities also compared notes on political tensions in Haiti, the Middle East, the fight against global terrorism, and the operationalisation of the African Union and its institutions, including the Pan African Parliament.

Source: BuaNews

	SA, India, Brazil eye trade bloc SA trade with South America

	Department of Foreign Affairs  Dept of Trade & Industry

South Africa's trade relations South Africa, a founding member of GATT and active WTO member, is party to numerous trade relationships. Find out more.