PM to visit South Africa from Sep 30 to Oct 3

New Delhi, Sep 28: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will leave here on September 30 on his first visit to South Africa during which he will hold discussions with President Thabo Mbeki and other leaders for strengthening bilateral political and economic relations, including cooperation in energy, trade and investment.

The Prime Minister who will be in South Africa till October three, will also inaugurate, along with President Mbeki, the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagrah movement.

During the visit, the two countries will sign three agreements on cooperation in science and technology, railways and education, Shashi Tripathi, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry said.

Three more pacts are being negotiated but it is not clear whether they will be ready by then for signing. These include the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and the Bilateeral Invesstment Promotion Agreement (BIPA).

Sources said discussions between the two leaders to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria will also focus on consolidation of the outcome of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summits held recently in Brazilia and Havana respectively.

The visit takes place in the spirit of the South-South Cooperation for increased trade and market access for fast-tracking developmental agenda of the South, the sources added.

The two leaders will also discuss the outcome of the 61st UN General Assembly Session including the UN reforms, and peace and security and development in the African continent.

The Prime Minister will interact with the members of the South Africa-India CEO's Forum co-chaired by Indian Industrialist Ratan Tata and Patrice Motsepe in Johannesburg.

Opportunities that have been identified for closer bilateral co-operation and would form part of South Africa's trade development agenda in India include capital equipment, agro-processed products, autos and components, services, Information Technology, science and technology, health and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises.

Trade between the two countries has shown an upward trend. India currently ranks as South Africa's 13th most important export market and the 13th most important import market.

UNI