President Ramaphosa to host joint working visit by Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, host a joint working visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms Mette Frederiksen.

The visit will take place at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

The Prime Ministers will visit South Africa from 19 to 20 June 2023 at the invitation of President Ramaphosa.
 
The visit seeks to solidify South Africa’s relationship with Denmark and the Netherlands in the areas of green hydrogen, renewable energy and just energy transition.

It is expected that South Africa and the Netherlands will sign the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on green hydrogen.

The visit also brings a substantial group of investors to South Africa to reinforce the high levels of cooperation and good relations between South Africa and two important European partners.

The visit will entail a programme of joint bilateral talks and a joint business seminar.

In addition to a meeting with the President, the two Prime Ministers will also participate in a Denmark-Netherlands-South Africa Business Forum hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).

A delegation that includes the CEOs of the Port of Rotterdam, Invest International, which provides financing for projects, as well as the Gasunie, which owns and manages the gas transmission network in the Netherlands, will accompany Prime Minister Rutte.

In addition, about 15 private companies will also form part of the delegation.
 
Prime Minister Frederiksen will be accompanied by a high-level business delegation. 
 
The Business Forum to be held under the theme “Green Energy Transition and Green Hydrogen Partnerships for Impact” will focus on key areas in green energy and green hydrogen.

Ahead of the leaders addressing the business forum, delegates will participate in plenary sessions on finance and skills development for local impact; roundtables to encourage discussions in a number of areas including the greening of industry, port development, industrial development support, green mobility, fuel cells and electrolysers, and green energy generation.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

PART A: OPENING REMARKS DURING OFFICIAL TALKS

Date: Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Time: 10h00 (Accredited media to arrive at 08h30)
Venue: Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria

PART B: THE BUSINESS FORUM:

Date: Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Time: 15h00
Venue: The Capital Hotel, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media wishing to cover the Working Visit must fill in the Accreditation template and send back to Shadi Baloyi on 072 571 6415 or shadi@presidency.gov.za by Monday, 19 June 2023, 09h00. No late submissions will be accepted.

For the Business Forum, accreditation template should be send to Charles Mnisi on 082 520 3475 or CMnisi@thedtic.gov.za.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria