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President Thabo Mbeki will lead the South African delegation to the 8th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from Monday, 4 November to Wednesday, 6 November 2002, during which he will address the Summit on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

The invitation by ASEAN to President Mbeki to address the Summit, of which Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are members, is the first major opportunity to advance South-South co-operation and the strengthening of African-Asian solidarity - within the context of NEPAD as the programme of the AU for the socio-economic regeneration of Africa.

In addition, this is the first time that a non-member of ASEAN will address the Summit.

Economically, ASEAN belongs to the developing world. Since establishment, some of its member countries have joined the world's top 20 most competitive economies. The consumer market within ASEAN member states amounts to 500 million, with an average per capita income of US$1 314. Total gross domestic product (GDP) of the ASEAN member states amounts to US $632.5 billion. Combined exports total US $339.2 billion.

At the time of the signing of the Bangkok Declaration in 1967, the Southeast Asian region was in tumult. ASEAN has done much to convert the region into one of international peace, inter alia, by declaring Southeast Asia a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) in 1971 and entering into a treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia in 1976.

Since paragraph 182 of the NEPAD document states that "Africa is committed to the development and strengthening of South-South partnerships," interaction with ASEAN provides a key opportunity to advance this key objective of NEPAD.

In addition, the address would give the President an opportunity to explain the background and aims of NEPAD to ASEAN countries - many of which share historical experiences and development challenges with Africa.

Through participation in the Summit, South Africa would invite the ASEAN countries to become partners in NEPAD for the mutual benefit of both regions, in particular to focus on the priority areas of NEPAD, viz.:

* Infrastructure, especially ICT
* Human Resource Development
* Health
* Agriculture
* Market Access
* Education, and
* Environment

Finally, the address creates an opportunity to dispel the wrongly held view in some quarters that NEPAD is a partnership only between Africa and the developed North.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and Titus Mafolo, Political Advisor to President Mbeki.

BACKGROUND - ASEAN

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 through the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Five further members have since been added, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The guiding principles of ASEAN are consensus and non-interference in the internal affairs of individual member states.

Many of the ASEAN countries experienced explosive economic development in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, which led to the description of them as "Asian Tigers". This rapid expansion declined with the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Since then, however, countries such as Malaysia have introduced sweeping economic reforms, which have put them back on the road to growth.

The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) came into force in January 2002. A number of countries have reduced their tariffs on all goods to 0%-5%, and the aim is that this goal should be reached for all member states by 2007. This deadline may, however, be extended for ASEAN's less developed members.

The ASEAN secretariat is based in Jakarta while the Chair of the organisation rotates annually. Summits take place in the country, which holds the chair for that year. At present, Cambodia is the Chair of ASEAN.

Aims

The primary aims of ASEAN include:

* Accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region.
* Promoting regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law.
* Promoting active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.
* Collaborating more effectively for the greater utilisation of agriculture and industries and the expansion of trade.
* The improvement of transportation and communication facilities and the raising of living standards.
* Maintaining close and beneficial co-operation with existing international and regional organisations.

At the start of the new century, ASEAN adopted the "ASEAN VISION 2020" declaration as "A concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies."

Principles

* The principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs,
* The principle of respect for territorial integrity,
* The preference for quiet diplomacy,
* The principle of pragmatism,
* The principle of egalitarianism,
* The principle of decision-making by consensus,
* The principle of actively seeking and maximising solidarity, common ground, agreement and harmony,

SA Trade Relations with ASEAN Member States:

TOTAL TRADE ASEAN/SOUTH AFRICA (2001): R 12 988 349 809

(Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.)

(Note that all the statistics relating to 2001 reflect trade for January to November - 11 months)

SA EXPORTS TO: SA IMPORTS FROM: TOTAL TRADE:

'97 4 552 621 309 4 271 800 311 8 824 421 620

'98 2 553 893 227 5 931 606 056 8 485 499 283

'99 4 104 210 649 6 167 012 049 10 271 222 698

'00 5 090 626 893 7 244 564 557 12 335 191 450

'01 5 564 057 091 7 424 292 718 12 988 349 809

Brunei Darussalam

Population (2001): 344, 500

GDP (2000): US$ 4, 65 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 7,73 million

Trade between South Africa and Brunei is minimal, with South African exports to Brunei for 2000 totalling R 9 181 584 and exports during 2001 R 7 734 081. According to SA Stats. No import from Brunei during this period was recorded.

Cambodia

Population (2001): 13,2 million

GDP (2001): US$ 3,2 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 2,075 million

TRADE STATISTICS

(All figures in SA Rand)

Year SA Exports SA Imports Total Trade

1998 289,000 179,000 468,000

1999 266,000 14,000 281,000

2000 1,550,000 126,000 1,676,000

2001 1,045,000 1,030,000 2,075,000

2002* 1,530,000 498,000 2,028,000

Source: SA Department of Trade and Industry

2002*: January to July 2002

South Africa's main export items to Cambodia for 2002 included tobacco, mineral and chemical fertilisers, orthopaedic appliances and hand tools. The first 7 months of 2002 registered a 150,9% increase over the corresponding period in 2001 in South African exports.

South Africa's main import items from Cambodia for 2002 included mainly garments such as overcoats, jerseys and pullovers and plastic articles. The first 7 months of 2002 registered a 17,1% decline over the corresponding period in 2001 in South African imports.

Indonesia

Population (2002): 228 million

GDP (1999): US$ 142 billion

Trade with SA (2000): R 339 million

South Africa's main exports to Indonesia include prepared foods, pulp & paper, while importing the following products from Indonesia: vegetable products, fats & oils, plastics & rubber, timber, pulp & paper, footwear, stone & plaster. The biggest imports from Indonesia are textiles, which in 1998 amounted to approximately US$ 26 million.

Bilateral Trade Statistics

1998 1999 2000

Total Trade 331,624,537 313,706,285 339,178,083

SA Exports 174,274,183 127,321,961 162,554,963

SA Imports 157,350,354 186,384,323 176,623,120

Laos

Population (2001): 5,6 million

GDP (2000): US$ 3,9 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 0,586 million

TRADE STATISTICS

YEAR SA EXPORTS SA IMPORTS TOTAL TRADE

1998 48 257 305

1999 470 910 1,380

2000 335 27 362

2001 291 295 586

Source: SA Department of Trade and Industry (figures in R'000)

The Lao economy is very small, mainly due to the country's small population, low level of development and lack of infrastructure. Trade and investment with South Africa is insignificant. However, although being resource-rich but infrastructure-poor, due to the country's geographic position and water resources, there are opportunities in road construction, railways, electricity development and mineral exploration.

Malaysia

Population (2001): 23,8 million

GDP (2001): US$ 87,9 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 3,97 billion

Trade Relations with RSA (2001)

Total Bilateral: R3, 972.00 million

Exports to South Africa: R2, 448.00 million

Main products: Palm Oil, Vegetable fats and oils, wood and wood articles; precision instruments; machinery and mechanical equipment and parts

Imports from RSA: R1, 524.00 million

Main products: Minerals; base metals; wood pulp; cane sugar; parts of locomotives

Trade balance in Malaysia's favour by R924 million.

Myanmar

Population (2001): 50 million

GDP - No reliable statistics available

Trade with SA (2001): R 1,82 million

TRADE STATISTICS

YEAR SA EXPORTS SA IMPORTS TOTAL TRADE

1998: 102 1,211 1,313

1999: 2,298 1,910 4,208

2000: 1,913 1,025 2,938

2001: 843 978 1,821

Source: SA Department of Trade and Industry (figures in R'000)

South Africa is following a policy of constructive engagement towards Myanmar and is neither discouraging nor encouraging economic cooperation. Trade and investment between the two countries is relatively insignificant.

Opportunities for South African companies to invest in Myanmar abound, especially in infrastructure development, mining, steel, machinery, etc. Note should nevertheless be taken of the fact that the pariah status, economic sanctions by the US and visa ban by the EU all serve to amplify the struggle for democracy, a factor never to be overlooked.

Philippines

Population (2001): 82,8 million

GDP (2000): US$ 75 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 694 million

South Africa's main exports to the Philippines consist of base metals and minerals, paper and pulp, spirits and beverages. To South Africa, the Philippines exports fish products, footwear, electrical appliances, tobacco, spirits and beverages.

TRADE STATISTICS (figures in ZAR)

South African Exports South African Imports

1994: R 166.0m R 84.0m
1995: R 173.0m R 78.0m
1996: R 249.3m R 108.6m
1997: R 220.0m R 189.7m
1998:* R 43.8m R 64.4m

* Figures from First Quarter 1998

Singapore

Population (2001): 4,02 million

GDP (2000): US$ 85,9 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 3,22 billion

Singapore's main imports from South Africa include organic chemicals, petroleum & products, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, metal manufactures, vegetables and fruit, inorganic chemicals, metallic ores & scrap, and paper manufactures.

Singapore's main exports to South Africa include telecommunication apparatus, electrical machinery, office & data machines, manufactured articles, general industrial machinery, plastics, crude rubber, textile manufactures, coffee and spices.

Trade Statistics

Singapore's total annual imports from South Africa
Value in S$'000

TOTAL

1995: 341,792
1996: 329,574
Percentage : -3.57
1997: 440,975
Percentage : 33.80

1998: 261,775
Percentage : -40.64
1999: 336,510
Percentage : 28.55
2000: 419,791
Percentage : 24.75
2001: 389,906
Percentage : -7.12

Singapore's total annual exports to South Africa

Value in S$'000

TOTAL

1995: 650,623
1996: 615,389
Percentage : -5.42

1997: 491,609
Percentage : -20.11
1998: 508,879
Percentage : 3.51
1999: 532,691
Percentage : 4.68
2000: 865,282
Percentage : 62.44
2001: 465,330
Percentage : -46.22

Singapore's total trade with South Africa

Value in S$'000
TOTAL

1995: 992,415
1996: 944,963
Percentage : 4.78
1997: 932,584
Percentage : -1.31
1998: 770,654
Percentage : -17.36
1999: 869,200
Percentage : 12.79
2000: 1,285,072
Percentage : 47.85
2001: 855,237
Percentage : -33.45

Thailand

Population (2001): 62,9 million

GDP (2000): US$ 122,2 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 3,575 billion

SA - Thai Bilateral Trade

(Source: DTI - SA R'000)

YEAR SA EXPORTS TO SA IMPORTS FROM TOTAL TRADE

1994: 1,118,066 562,219 1,680,285
1995: 604,321 699,543 1,303,864
1996: 624,137 713,253 1,337,390
1997: 892,112 876,140 1,768,252
1998: 627,738 1,306,142 1,933,880
1999: 1,168,014 1,494,431 2,662,445
2000: 1,344,242 1,840,510 3,184,752
2001: 1,370,434 2,204,632 3,575,066

South Africa's Main Exports to Thailand

Chemical products, paper pulp and other paper-based products, base metals, iron and steel, jewellery and gold.

South Africa's Main Imports from Thailand

Motorcars, parts and accessories, rice, air conditioners, rubber products, electrical equipment and parts.

Vietnam

Population (2001): 79,9 million

GDP (2001): US$ 33 billion

Trade with SA (2001): R 276 million

SA/Vietnam Trade Relations

Trade Statistics (According to DTI)

Year SA Exports SA Imports Total Trade

1998: 28,030,000 69,077,000 97,107,000
1999: 25,713,000 101,511,000 127,224,000
2000: 31,266,000 168,775,000 200,041,000
2001: 101,310,000 174,696,000 276,006,000

Vietnam's exports to South Africa are mainly footwear and artificial flowers, vegetable products, mineral products, textiles and textile products, machinery and mechanical appliances.

South Africa's exports to Vietnam include machinery and mechanical appliances, prepared foodstuffs, vegetable products, base metals and articles of base metals, plastics and articles thereof, and products of chemical and allied industries.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON RELATIONS WITH CAMBODIA

Diplomatic relations with South Africa was established in January 1995. During 1997 the Cambodian authorities granted agreement to the former South African Ambassador in Bangkok, Mr JG Janse van Rensburg to be accredited as the first South African non-resident Ambassador to Cambodia.

The current South African Ambassador based in Bangkok, Mrs Buyi M Pheto presented her credentials to King Norodom Sihanouk on 27 June 2002. Ambassador Pheto has since paid follow-up visits to Phnom Penh in both August and September 2002 during which she met various Ministers and representatives of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and NGOs such as the Cambodian Mine Clearance Centre and the Cambodian Documentation Centre. Cambodia has no embassies on the African continent.

A Cambodian delegation consisting of seven officials and representatives of civil society visited SA from 18 to 27 November 2001 to learn and exchange experiences in reconciliation and rebuilding post-conflict societies. The study tour was organised by the Cambodian Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and the Institute hosted the delegation for Democracy in SA (IDASA). They were led by Mr OM Radsady, Advisor to Prince Norodom Ranarridh, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia and also included a number of senior officials from other Ministries.

The Cambodian delegation to the WSSD in Johannesburg in August/September 2002 was led by Mr Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Co Minister of Interior, and also included the Ministers of Commerce and Environment and other senior officials. The Cambodian delegation also had a meeting with the SA Minister for Provincial and Local Government whilst attending the WSSD.

Prime Minister Hun Sen in October 2002 invited President Mbeki to address the 8th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh in November 2002 on NEPAD.

TRADE STATISTICS (all figures in SA Rand)

Year SA Exports SA Imports Total Trade

1998: 289,000 179,000 468,000
1999: 266,000 14,000 281,000
2000: 1,550,000 126,000 1,676,000
2001: 1,045,000 1,030,000 2,075,000
2002:* 1,530,000 498,000 2,028,000

Source: SA Department of Trade and Industry

2002*: January to July 2002

South Africa's main export items to Cambodia for 2002 included tobacco, mineral and chemical fertilisers, orthopaedic appliances and hand tools. The first 7 months of 2002 registered a 150,9% increase over the corresponding period in 2001 in South African exports.

South Africa's main import items from Cambodia for 2002 included mainly garments such as overcoats, jerseys and pullovers and plastic articles. The first 7 months of 2002 registered a 17,1% decline over the corresponding period in 2001 in South African imports.

For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 or Nomfanelo Kota on 082 377 7208.

Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)