The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe, will host the Prime Minister of Poland, His Excellency Donald Tusk, on an Official Visit to South Africa on 17-18 October 2013.  Prime Minister Tusk will be accompanied by a ministerial and business delegation.

Prime Minister Tusk's visit to South Africa will be his first visit to South Africa since he became the Prime Minister of Poland in November 2007. The Prime Minister's visit was preceded by the political consultations in Pretoria on 10 July 2013between Deputy Minister Fransman and his Polish counterpart, Ms Beata Stelmachto review bilateral relations and prepare for the Official Visit of the Prime Minister.

South Africa and Poland enjoy warm and cordial relations. The Prime Minister's Official Visit will facilitate the mutually beneficial and complementary bilateral relations and an agreement on priority areas for cooperation. During the official meeting, the two leaders will review the status of bilateral relations and pay particular attention to the implementation of priority agreements. The Economic Cooperation Agreement will be signed providing for the establishment of a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) which will establish the necessary frameworks and programme of action for the enhancement of the economic cooperation.

Deputy President Motlanthe and Prime Minister Tusk will explore new bilateral cooperation in   agriculture and rural development, education and skills development, environmental affairs, science and technology, transport and maritime.

The Deputy President and the Prime Minister will attend the South Africa-Poland Business Forum that will be held at the Gallagher Estates on 17 October 2013.

Total trade between South Africa and Poland grew from R 2.6 billion in 2006 and toR6.3 billion in 2012. South Africa's major exports to Poland are dominated by Machinery equipment and vehicles, salt and sulphur, aluminium, ores, slag an dash. Poland's major exports to South Africa are machinery and nuclear reactors, electrical, electronic equipment, and vehicles other than railway, tramway, essential oils, perfumes and miscellaneous manufactured articles.

South Africa has significant investments in Poland in the beverages, paper, furniture manufacturing, and retail and distribution sectors. Polish commercial interests in South Africa are mainly in tourism, aviation, pharmaceuticals, mining equipment and services sector, heavy duty industrial equipment and glass ware.

For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela spokesperson for DIRCO on 082 884 5974

Issued by: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation