Sri Lanka, South Africa for stronger economic ties

A delegation of 35 business leaders from South Africa, led by African National Congress Co-ordinator and Co-Governor of the Progression Business Forum Renier Schoemen called on External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Thursday at the External Affairs Ministry.

South Africa's Deputy Economic Development Minister Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize accompanied the delegation.

The ANC Progression Business Forum with which over 600 South African companies are associated, is in the country to discuss practical strategies for strengthening relationships between Sri Lanka and South African companies. The Forum met with representatives of the Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka and with a number of institutions, including the Board of Investment and the Export Development Board.

The visit is a concrete expression of the South African government's conviction that the circumstances in Sri Lanka today are strongly conducive to significant expansion of the relations between the two countries in respect of trade, investment and tourism.

The participation in this visit by South Africa's Deputy Economic Development Minister was approved by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, with whom External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris had discussions during his visit to South Africa in March this year.

Meetings of the Partnership Development Forum between the two countries will take place in South Africa next month. South Africa's High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Geoffrey Quinton Doidge also took part in the discussion with Minister Peiris.