BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

28/08/2006

SA and Belarus to co-operate more

Economic co-operation between South Africa and Belarus had a lot of potential, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said on Monday.

She was hosting her Belarussian counterpart Sergey Martynov at the Presidential guest house in Pretoria for bilateral talks.

"Our trade turnover is modest. I would like to see much more economic intercourse between the two countries," said Martynov.

He said Belarus was a world-class producer of equipment needed in agriculture, roads and mining. The country could provide South Africa with these at better quality and cheaper price than other countries in the European Union or the Americas.

The two countries last year had a trade turnover of R23,68-million.

Shortly after meeting with Dlamini-Zuma, Martynov signed a co-operation agreement with Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan.

Jordan said it would enable South African musicians and other artists to have exchanges with their Belarussian counterparts. South Africa could also benefit from Belarus's experience in European classical music.

While in South Africa Martynov is also expected to hold talks with Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa.

He would sign an agreement on military and technical co-operation with Lekota and establish a committee on trade and economic co-operation with Mpahlwa. - Sapa

Source:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=14&click_id=6&art_id=qw1156768562121B214

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