Media Statement

21 March 2023

Minister Pandor concludes successful visit to the DRC

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has concluded her successful Working Visit to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where she participated in the Meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers, held bilateral talks with her DRC counterpart and met representatives of South African businesses operating in the DRC.

The Council of Ministers Meeting, held from 18-19 March 2023, served the purpose of overseeing the functioning and development of SADC and ensuring that policies and decisions are implemented. The Council consists of Ministers from each of the 16 Member States.

Minister Pandor’s Bilateral Meeting with her DRC counterpart, Minister Christophe Lutundula, provided the two countries with an opportunity to take stock of the decisions and commitments of the SA-DRC Bi-National Commission as well as the status of memoranda of understanding and agreements signed between the two countries.

In light of the ongoing conflict in the Eastern DRC, the two Ministers exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and on regional efforts to bring about peace and stability in the eastern DRC.

On trade and investment relations, Minister Pandor recalled that South Africa had significant investments in the DRC. The main sectors for investment are financial services; mining and related services; construction and property development; retail; supplier services to the oil, gas and mobile telephony industries; ICT; security and guarding; logistics; and tourism and hospitality.

In the meeting with representatives of South African companies operating in the DRC, Minister Pandor said South Africa regarded the DRC as a key trade and investment partner and that the two countries were looking for ways to further expand two-way trade.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road

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Pretoria

0084