Media Statement

02 May 2023

Minister Pandor arrives in Port Louis on a Working Visit

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, where she is scheduled to hold talks with the Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Honourable Alan Ganoo.

It is expected that the Working Visit will provide the Ministers an opportunity to assess the status of bilateral relations between South Africa and Mauritius, share information and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Formal diplomatic relations between South Africa and Mauritius were established in 1992, with the opening of Representative Offices (Trade Commissions) in both countries, which eventually led to full diplomatic relations in 1994. The two countries share a common vision for the economic integration of the region, underpinned by peace and stability, democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law.

Ministers Pandor and Ganoo will sign a General Cooperation Agreement (GCA), which provides for the establishment of a Joint Commission at Senior Officials’ level. The Joint Commission will serve as the mechanism through which the two countries work to increase levels of cooperation across various sectors. Currently, there is no structured bilateral mechanism between the two countries.

Minister Pandor will meet leaders and representatives of Mauritian businesses to further deepen South Africa–Mauritius trade and investment relations. According to SARS, from January to December 2022, South Africa exported just over R10bn worth of goods and merchandise to Mauritius compared to almost R5,2bn in the same period in 2021.

The main products exported in 2022 were mineral products (R4,9bn), followed by wood products (R832m), prepared foodstuff (R737m), machinery (R633m) and iron and steel products (R626m). South African exports to Mauritius have increased by 285% over the ten-year period from R2,6bn in 2012 to R10bn, and by 185% from R5,4bn over the five-year period from 2017.

The Minister will also have an engagement event with Mauritian Think Tanks and academia on the current geopolitical environment and how South Africa–Mauritius relations fit therein.

The Minister will also pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

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