Deputy President Paul Mashatile has on Friday concluded his weeklong working visit to the United Kingdom.
The Deputy President was in the United Kingdom for the second leg of his working visit to improve trade and investment relations between the nations and woo investors following his travels to Ireland.
“The purpose of the visit was to identify new trade and investment opportunities to grow the South African economy in partnership with the United Kingdom,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Some of the areas of interest he touched on during his engagement include government’s strategic priorities in several sectors including trade, investment, skills development, science, innovation, tourism and the Just Energy Transition.
“Following the successful conclusion of elections in both countries, the establishment of new governments allowed for reaffirming bilateral relations at all levels for the two strategic partners,” the statement read.
During the working visit, the Deputy President engaged with representatives from several organisations. These include Bloomberg Media, Brand South Africa, the London Stock Exchange, Investec, Standard Bank, JP Morgan, Citibank, Goldman Sachs and the South African Chamber of Commerce.
The talks also focused on showcasing South Africa as an investment destination of choice, by highlighting investment opportunities in the country.
He stressed the stability of South Africa’s political landscape as a result of the newly established Government of National Unity (GNU) and highlighted its significant demonstration of democracy at work and how it can serve as a model for other democracies around the world.
The Deputy President also had an opportunity to deliver an address on South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency, set to commence on 1 December 2024, at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
“The Deputy President affirmed that the country will advocate for the needs of developing nations, to place Africa’s development at the forefront of the global agenda.”
The Deputy President met with British government leaders including the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development David Lammy.
He further paid a courtesy visit to Prince Edward, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Our numerous meetings with potential investors have revealed a shift in their attitudes and perceptions towards South Africa, indicating a positive look. Our alliance is based not on personal sentiments but on the aspiration to enhance South Africa and, consequently, the lives of our citizens, and be useful in sustaining the GNU administration for five years,” said the Deputy President.
The Deputy President was accompanied by the International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, the Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa and Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Mcpherson.
He was also with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rosemary Capa, the Deputy Minister of Finance Dr David Masondo, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenneth Morolong and the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield. – SAnews.gov.za
