28
Oct
Pretoria – The Presidency on Sunday dismissed claims that President Jacob Zuma will no longer attend the 3rd Annual innovaBRICS Conference in the United Kingdom because he has been refused an audience with Prime Minister David Cameron.
On Friday, the Presidency announced that President Zuma will no longer attend the conference in London, which is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
South Africa will be led by a delegation of four Ministers, said the Presidency in a statement on Friday.
The delegation, led by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, includes Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.
“The Presidency has noted reports about the cancellation of President Jacob Zuma’s working visit to the UK, where he was to open the innovaBRICS conference.
“Reports suggesting that President Zuma cancelled the visit because he was refused an audience with British Prime Minister David Cameron are incorrect and mischievous. We wish to clarify that it was not compulsory for President Zuma to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron,” said the Presidency.
The purpose of the visit to London was to open the innovaBRICS conference and to promote South Africa as an investment destination, said the Presidency.
The conference is partly sponsored by the South African government through BrandSA.
“Therefore, it was not a South Africa-UK bilateral visit, which necessitates an engagement at a government level. When heads of state and government undertake a visit of this nature, it is not a necessity to see the host head of state or government.
“A courtesy call takes place when both are available. Many heads of state and government come to South Africa and leave the country without seeing President Zuma if their schedule or his does not permit a courtesy call. It is a normal occurrence,” said the Presidency.
South Africa’s participation in the conference will be within the context of promoting the National Development Plan and promoting the country as a prime business destination. The Ministers will engage with UK business leaders and opinion makers in various forums during the visit.
The Presidency said President Zuma is looking forward to a successful visit by the four Ministers and for positive outcomes for the country in contributing to the drive towards a 5% growth target that the President announced in the June 2014 State of the Nation Address.
Minister Radebe will open the 3rd annual innovaBRICS conference and the Ministers will also attend other meetings in London on Monday and Tuesday, briefing opinion makers and potential investors on the progress made by the country since 1994.
InnovaBRICS is an important marketing platform for South Africa and Cabinet Ministers attend sessions on behalf of the country each year.
The President had been planning to attend this year’s conference at Brand SA’s request and that of the organisers but will no longer attend.
“He is of the view that the Ministers will represent the country well as they have done each year,” said Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj.
SA-UK trade
South Africa and the United Kingdom have extensive trade and economic relations, which continue to strengthen despite the global economic challenges.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the United Kingdom stood at R60 billion for the period January 2009 to April 2014 – the highest from Europe in this period and creating 19 699 jobs.
In 2013, the United Kingdom ranked as South Africa’s 8th largest export market globally, and the 2nd largest in the European Union after Germany.
Although trade figures have not yet reached the levels prior to the global economic crisis, there has been gradual improvement.
In 2013, South Africa’s exports to the UK grew by 16% compared to 2012 and imports from the UK increased by 12%.
Similarly, the United Kingdom is South Africa’s most significant source of long-haul tourists. In 2013, more than to 442 000 British tourists visited South Africa, an increase of 1% on the 2012 figure.
“The London visit by Ministers is designed to send the message that South Africa is open for business. We prefer to focus on that message, which will take the country forward,” said the Presidency.
Source: http://sanews.gov.za/south-africa/presidency-addresses-brics-conference-claims