Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim has arrived in Switzerland, where he will co-chair the South Africa-Switzerland (SA-SWISS) 3rd Annual High Level Consultations with his Swiss counterpart, State Secretary Peter Maurer.
Ebrahim is leading a South African government delegation comprising representatives from the Departments of Science and Technology, Justice and National Treasury.
The gathering takes place within the context of consolidating North-South relations with regard to South Africa’s priority to strengthen bilateral, political, economic and trade relations with Switzerland.
It said this years’ High Level Consultations would outline the importance of bilateral relations between SA and Switzerland, and highlight issues concerning multilateral engagements and issues of a global nature.
The visit will cover, amongst others, the promotion of the African Agenda as a cornerstone of South Africa’s foreign policy, work with Switzerland towards strengthening the United Nations Security Council and deepening the reform of the United Nations, and promoting South Africa’s foreign policy objectives on reform of the global governance system.
Trade between South Africa and Switzerland has been increasing over the years. Total trade increased by approximately R16 billion from R11 billion in 2005 to over R27 billion in 2009, representing an increase of over 150 percent.
Exports from South Africa to Switzerland were valued at R21.3 billion in 2009 compared to imports valued at only R6.3 billion in the same year. This resulted in a balance of trade surplus for South Africa of about R15.1 billion in 2009. South Africa has been enjoying a positive balance of trade surplus with Switzerland since 2001. – BuaNews
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