Media Statement

02 February 2023

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini hosts Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

The Deputy Minister of International Relations Ms Candith Mashego Dlamini, will host the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Shahriar Alam, on Friday, 03 February 2023, in Pretoria. Mr Shahriar Alam is visiting South Africa from 01-06 February 2023.

The meeting between Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini and Minister Alam will focus on ways to pursue bilateral cooperation in defence, agriculture, law enforcement, transport and higher education and to expand private sector business-to-business engagements in support of trade and investment promotion.

Bangladesh has been identified by South Africa as a country with enormous potential for the expansion of trade and economic relations. Since 1994, bilateral trade between South Africa and Bangladesh has grown significantly from a mere R28 million to approximately R5.2 billion in 2021, with South African exports amounting to more than R3.4 billion and South Africa enjoying a trade surplus of R1.6 billion.

During his stay in South Africa, Mr Alam is scheduled to inaugurate the “Made in Bangladesh” Exhibition at the Sheraton Hotel. The Minister will be accompanied by representatives from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) for engagement with SACCI to promote business-to-business links.

South Africa established diplomatic relations with Bangladesh in September 1994, followed by the opening of the High Commission of Bangladesh in Pretoria. South Africa is non-residentially accredited to Bangladesh through the South African High Commission in New Delhi, India. Mr Sibusiso Ndebele is accredited as South Africa’s non-resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Bilateral relations between South Africa and Bangladesh are managed through a structured bilateral consultation mechanism, the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), which provides for both parties to meet annually, on a rotational basis. The SOM is co-hosted at the level of Deputy Director-General. The inaugural SOM took place from 11-12 June 2012 in Dhaka, Bangladesh and the latest (Fifth) SOM took place on 03 September 2019, in Dhaka. The next SOM is scheduled to be hosted by South Africa in 2023.

Bangladesh and South Africa share common views on a range of global issues, and South Africa regards Bangladesh as an important partner in the advancement of the development agenda of countries of the South. South Africa and Bangladesh share membership of the following international organisations: the G77+China, Commonwealth, NAM and IORA. Bangladesh is the current Chair of IORA.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road

Rietondale

Pretoria

0084