By Kaveesha Fernando
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CWBN)_ The South African government confirmed on Friday (December 18) that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will host President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on a Working Visit to South Africa on Saturday (December 19). Both presidents are to be accompanied by senior government officials.
“President Ramaphosa and President Tshisekedi will use the occasion to exchange views in respect of developments at a regional level, as well as discuss broad issues affecting the continent within the context of the African Union,” an official release stated.
The media release highlighted the General Cooperation Agreement which was concluded between the two countries on 14 January 2004, adding that the move was in line with South Africa’s commitment to enhance bilateral relations with the DRC, as well as ensuring peace and security in the region. The agreement established “bilateral cooperation between the two states, providing the basis for political, economic and technical cooperation,” it also added. A Bi-National Commission (BNC) was established at the level of Heads of State on the basis of the agreement, and the BNC has a strong focus on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), the release revealed.
The South African government also detailed some of the key points of the relationship between the two nations. “A large part of South African business with the DRC is trade, the export of goods and services using local agencies, franchising and other non–investment business. South Africa’s exports to the DRC in 2019 were valued at R15,2 billion. South Africa also has significant investments in the DRC, and the main sectors for investment are financial services; mining and related services; construction and property development; retail; supplier services to the oil, gas and mobile telephony industries; ICT; security and guarding; logistics; and tourism and hospitality. Agriculture and agro-process is a growing area of investment, although much of it is related to skills transfer,” they stated.
