Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013
Dubai: The Republic of South Africa and the UAE will soon be coming up with a special commission to enhance bilateral ties and trade, South Africa’s new Ambassador to UAE, Mpetjane Lekgoro, announced on the occasion of his country’s 20th Freedom Day.
Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the event to mark the special occasion on Monday, Ambassador Lekgoro, said that the ties between the two countries are robust but there is potential to enhance this further.
“UAE can play an important role in bringing a lot of skills to our country and South Africa acknowledges the strides and successes that the UAE has achieved in such a short time and we believe both the countries can exchange ideas and skills in their field of expertise,” said the Ambassador.
The Freedom Day event was graced by UAE Minister for Environment and Water Rashid Bin Fahd.
Diplomatic relationship between the two countries was founded in 1995, a year after South Africa succeeded in its struggle against apartheid, and currently the bilateral trade stands at $2.5 billion (Dh9.12 billion).
The UAE also has a large presence of South African expats, around 40,000, who the ambassador said are the real ambassadors of South Africa.
“The South African community in the UAE is very strong and vibrant and it has played a pivotal role in bringing the two nations together and furthering the business agenda. I hope they will continue to create more business opportunities between the two nations,” added Ambassador Lekgoro, who took up the position last month.
Ambassador Lekgoro said, “We are hoping to attract more UAE investors who can enter various sectors, particularly agriculture and plantation, and from our side we are looking to promote our manufacturing goods.”
By Shafaat Shahbandari?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
