Pretoria - South Africa and Cuba are expected to deepen bilateral and trade relations this week, when Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies meets with Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo.
Davies, who is in Cuba on an official visit, is expected to attend the opening of the 30th Havana International Fair as well as open the South African Pavilion.
He is accompanied by senior officials and a business delegation comprising companies that will be exhibiting at the Havana International Fair. While in Cuba he will also meet ministers and business people.
Davies said South Africa and Cuba shared strong political relations. "Cuba is one of the countries that South Africa established diplomatic relations with in 1994 when the democratic government came into power. However, these strong political relations are not underpinned by robust economic relations," Davies said.
Davies said of the 216 destinations for South Africa's exports globally, Cuba ranked 83rd in 2011. Similarly, Cuba ranked 120th as a source of imports in the same period.
However, the Minister believes that an agreement he signed earlier this year with Cuban Ambassador to South Africa, to implement a R350 million Economic Assistance Package, will go a long way in boosting economic relations.
The Agreement was ratified by Parliament in September this year.
The package was offered to Cuba by President Jacob Zuma during the state visit to Cuba in December 2010 and it is divided into three facilities.
From Cuba, Davies will proceed to Jamaica and Brazil. - SAnews.gov.za
