Russia and South Africa discuss creation of information and cultural centres
During the 14th Plenary Session of the Russian–South African Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation Sergei Donskoy and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane discussed partnership on cultural issues and practical aspects of Russian–South African cooperation. The ministers are co-chairs of the ITEC.
During the meeting, the parties discussed a draft agreement between the governments of Russia and South Africa on the establishment and scope of proposed informational and cultural centres, as well as the organization of the Russian–South African Cultural Seasons project in 2016–17.
“We greatly value the level of political cooperation we have achieved with South Africa so far,” Donskoy emphasized. “Our thorough and open exchange of views confirms the proximity of our respective countries’ positions on a wide array of issues relating to international, regional, and bilateral agendas.”
The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment head noted the active cooperation between the Russian and South African business communities: “Not just Moscow and St. Petersburg, but increasingly other Russian regions are attracting the attention of South African entrepreneurs.”
Donskoy emphasized that increasing trade turnover and growing trade relations requires a concerted effort to remove barriers to the implementation of specific joint projects, as well as improving the legal framework with regard to the most promising areas of collaboration.
Throughout the meeting, Russian and South African specialists noted the considerable potential for enhanced cooperation across several areas of industry, including (but not limited to) mining, metallurgy, aviation, and automotive construction, as well as the construction of power generation and electricity supply facilities. The Russian minister remarked on the steadily improving potential for collaboration in the aviation sector. A notable expansion in cooperation has been observed in pharmaceutical production. The parties noted the encouraging nature of collaboration in the IT sector, various secondary industry sectors, and energy production.
The Minister noted that Russia is awaiting the imminent launch of a project to establish a shipbuilding company in South Africa – the joint PamodziSudoimpeks enterprise would involve interested corporations from both countries.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of partnership in the oil and gas sector. In particular, Rosgeologia is currently continuing its research with PetroSA and prominent South African ministries and departments on conditions for joint project work on hydrocarbon exploration and production across South African shelf areas. Furthermore, RusGazEngineering has expressed interest in participating in the implementation of complex projects within the South African oil and gas sector.
In the field of electrical power, the leading Russian companies – Power Machines, Tekhnopromexport, and United Engine Corporation – have expressed their interest in participating in the construction of new power generation facilities and in modernizing existing facilities in South Africa. Russian companies are also interested in partnering with South African companies in the coal sector. The Skochinsky Institute of Mining is prepared to apply its experience and offer its services in the field of underground coal gasification as well as in the use of renewable energy in the coal industry to the relevant South African ministries and enterprises.
The parties discussed aspects of the Program of Cooperation to 2025 which fall under the provisions of the Russian–South African Cooperation Agreement, which dealt with the exploration, production, refining, and enrichment of mineral resources, and was signed in April 1999 by the two governments, as well as joint activity in the area of diamond mining and processing.
The parties agreed to hold a second conference on platinum group metals (PGMs) in 2017 in South Africa. During the first conference, held onsite at the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in May 2016, the parties shared their experiences in fields including, but not limited to, the legislation and regulation of PGMs, research and development, experimental construction, and new areas of application for PGMs.
Russia expressed interest in increasing cooperation in the field of agriculture, in particular with regard to animal product exports to South Africa (processed pork, beef, lamb, and poultry products).
Russia and South Africa are actively cooperating on scientific projects, establishing relationships between individual higher education institutions from the two countries. In particular, the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is collaborating with research centres at the governmental Department of Science and Technology and the University of Pretoria. The Faculty of Chemistry at St. Petersburg State University and Tshwane University are carrying out regular staff exchanges. A cooperation agreement has been signed between MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations) and the University of Pretoria. An agreement has been reached on the establishment of a working group on biotechnology. The South African Medical Research Council, the State Vaccine Institute, the Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics at the University of the Western Cape, and the Sekunjalo biotechnology company have all expressed their willingness to participate in the working group.
The 10th Session of the Joint Russian–South African Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was held on the margins of the 14th Plenary Session of the Committee.
Russia and South Africa have also discussed the possibility of reducing tariffs for international roaming services.
Between January and September 2016, the volume of Russian–South African trade turnover decreased by 14.5% compared to the same period in 2015, totalling USD 590 million. At the same time, the volume of Russian exports decreased by 21.2%, now standing at USD 176.6 million, with imports falling to USD 413.6 million (an 11.3% decrease).
The Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment invited South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to participate in the 21st St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will take place from June 1–3, 2017, at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre in St. Petersburg.
Source: http://www.mnr.gov.ru/news/detail.php?ID=188891 (Russian only)
