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North West Premier, Dr Popo Simon Molefe, leads a provincial delegation tonight to the Russian Federation on a business visit.

During his visit, the Premier will address business seminars in Moscow with a view to showcasing the province's investment and tourism potential. The key focus areas will include investment opportunities for Russian companies at the Mafikeng Airport project. Some of the Russian companies are already operating from the airport. The Premier will also promote the tourism icons of the North West like Madikwe Game Lodge and Pilanesberg Game Park.

The Premier will also have an opportunity to address the Russian audience on the occasion of the Opening of the South Africa Week both in Moscow and Samara. The South Africa Week is a targeted programme of the South African Embassy in Moscow aimed at showcasing South Africa's cultural and economic features to the Russian people. This year's programme is targeting Moscow and Samara.

From Moscow, the Premier will proceed to Samara, one of the most industrialized Russian provinces. Samara possesses considerable deposits of natural resources (natural gas, silicate clay, table salt and structural stone, among others). Samara province accounts for 1.5% in oil deposits and for about 3% of oil production in the mainland of Russia.

Mechanical engineering is the leading industry in Samara. It is one of Russia's leading producers of automotive products which include aircrafts, passenger cars and spare parts, bearings, machine tools, power transformers and cable products.

The Premier and his counterpart in Samara, Mr Konstantin Alexeyevitch Titov, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, committing the two provinces to establish and expand direct economic relations, focusing on the following sectors:

* Mechanical engineering industry
* Chemical and petrochemical industry
* Mining
* Motor manufacturing and motor components production industry
* Science and technology
* Agriculture
* Education
* Tourism

Both Russia and South Africa are the leading producers of platinum in the world. The Premier will therefore engage relevant Russian companies around the possibility of investing in, and supporting platinum beneficiation projects in the North West Province.

"It is our firm belief that this visit will lay a firm foundation for long-term and mutually beneficial relations between the North West Province and the Russian Federation and, Samara province in particular", said Premier Molefe.

The delegation, amongst others, comprises Ms Edna Molewa, MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Mr Phenye Vilakazi, MEC for Transport, Ms Maureen Modiselle, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Thabo Mabe, Executive Mayor of Rustenburg, Mr Raymond Motsepe, Executive Mayor of Madibeng Local Municipality-Haartebeespoortdam, Mr Piet Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Invest North West, Mr Mac Magodielo, Acting General Manager: North West Parks and Tourism Board.

Enquiries: Cornelius Tanana Monama on 082 578 4063/(018) 387-3753

Issued by North West Provincial Government

1 September 2003