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11 March 2008

South African President Thabo Mbeki has today, Tuesday, 11 March 2008, arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius ahead of the country's 40th Independence Day celebrations scheduled for Wednesday, 12 March 2008.

President Mbeki was invited to attend the celebrations in terms of Mauritian custom of inviting one Head of State per year for the annual independence celebrations. In this regard, President Thabo Mbeki will attend these celebrations, within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Mauritius.

While in Mauritius, President Mbeki will, after the Independence Day celebrations, hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart, President Jugnauth and Prime Minister Ramgoolam. Issues on the agenda of the bilateral discussions will include:

* a Mauritius' intention to set up a Truth and Justice Commission based on the South African model (Truth and Reconciliation)
* stability within the Indian Ocean region with specific reference to the political developments in the Union of the Comoros
* regional integration issues.

Courtesy calls: President Mbeki will not meet Mauritian Chief Justice

As per Mauritian Protocol, any visiting Head of State is expected to receive courtesy calls from the Mauritian Head of Government, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice. Accordingly, in line with this protocol, President Mbeki has indeed received requests for such courtesy calls from the Mauritian government.

Due to time constraints however, President Mbeki will only be able to meet with the Mauritian Leader of Government, Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

President Mbeki and his delegation are expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday, 12 March 2008.

Bilateral economic relations

Mauritius has one of the strongest economies in Africa with a Growth Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $13,200(established in 2005). South Africa remains the leading supplier of goods to Mauritius.

Trade relations with South Africa (R 000)

2005
Imports from SA value (c.i.f) million rand: 2,163
Exports to SA Value (f.o.b) million rand: 211

2006
Imports from SA value (c.i.f) million rand: 2,261
Exports to SA value (f.o.b) million rand: 398

2007 (from January to September)
Imports from SA value (c.i.f) million rand: 1,686
Exports to SA value (f.o.b) million rand: 378

The Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) has impacted on the trade and investment relations between South Africa and Mauritius. Utilising strengths from both countries will be to the benefit of South Africa and Mauritius. Business from the two countries will also look into possibilities of investing in a third country such as Madagascar or Mozambique, taking advantage of the absence of conditionalities as well as the abundance of cheap labour.

Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
11 March 2008
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)