+- South Africa Info Forums (https://globalbuzz-sa.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Business and Finance (https://globalbuzz-sa.com/forums/Forum-Business-and-Finance)
+--- Forum: Business News (https://globalbuzz-sa.com/forums/Forum-Business-News)
+--- Thread: Fransman concludes Peru visit, arrives in Ecuador (/Thread-Fransman-concludes-Peru-visit-arrives-in-Ecuador)
Fransman concludes Peru visit, arrives in Ecuador - Newsroom - 05-09-2013
Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Marius Fransman, has concluded his official visit to Peru, which is part of his four-nation tour of Latin America.
The deputy minister’s four-nation tour from 2 - 12 September includes Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba.
Fransman's visit to Peru, according to his department, was used to strengthen political, social and economic bilateral relations.
It also identified new areas of cooperation in trade, mining and social development.
During his visit, Fransman met with various ministers. Among them was the Secretary General of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Salas.
The two identified opportunities for cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral level and discussed issues of mutual interest pertaining to their respective continents and the situation in the Middle East.
With Peru chairing the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP20) in 2014, the two countries also agreed that South Africa would assist in knowledge sharing following its successful hosting of COP17 in 2011.
Fransman also met with the Deputy Minister of Mining, Guillermo Shinno, where they agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of mining and shared knowledge regarding health and occupational safety standards, training and capacity-building for mine-workers and mining communities.
“The Deputy Ministers also proposed that an exchange programme be initiated for young people in the field of mining engineering,†said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Fransman also held fruitful discussions with Peru's Deputy Minister of Social Benefits, Paola Bustamante, where they exchanged information on their countries' respective social development programmes for women, children and senior citizens.
Peru has recently started a pilot project regarding cash payments to the most disadvantaged and destitute.
In this regard, Peru's Bustamante expressed an interest to understand South Africa's social security system.
Tourism and trade relations
With regards to tourism, the two countries discussed the importance of inclusive economic growth and development, and both sides exchanged information on their countries' infrastructure development projects and regional economic integration initiatives.
Trade relations between Peru and Africa were also discussed, with Peru indicating the possibility of opening additional trade offices on the continent, including in South Africa.
Fransman concluded his bilateral meetings by visiting Peru’s Investment Agency, ProInversion, where he met the Deputy Minister and Director Carlos Herrera and extended an invitation to the agency to visit South Africa with the view to establish partnerships with South African companies.
South Africa is one of the largest investors in Peru, with SAB Miller and Anglo American operating in that country.
Anglo American and Gold Fields are currently contemplating further investment of US$2.5 billion over the next five years and SAB/Miller will be extending its reach from Lima into new markets in the region.
The main South African exports to Peru are mining equipment, paper and carton, metal sheeting and specialised structural steel, amongst others.
Fransman in Ecuador
Fransman is now in Quito, Ecuador, to strengthen political, social and economic bilateral relations and to discuss areas of cooperation and mutual interest.
The two countries will also reaffirm mutual support in multilateral and regional forums.
While in Ecuador, Fransman will hold talks with that country’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Marco Albuja, the President of the National Assembly, and the Secretary of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). He will then pay a courtesy visit to Foreign Minister Patiño.
The main South African products exported to Ecuador are base metals, products for chemical and allied industries, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and transport equipment. Imports from Ecuador include mineral products, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and transport equipment. – SAnews.gov.za