Pix by Indika Ranawaka

A delegation of 35 business leaders from South Africa, led by Mr. Renier Schoemen, African National Congress Co-ordinator and Co-Governor of the Progression Business Forum, called on Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, at the Ministry on 6^th September 2012.

Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of South Africa, accompanied the delegation.

The ANC Progression Business Forum with which more than 600 South African companies are associated, is in the country to discuss practical strategies for strengthening relationships between Sri Lanka and South African companies.  The Forum met with representatives of the Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka as well as with a number of institutions including the Board of Investment and the Export Development Board.

The visit is a concrete expression of the South African government’s conviction that the circumstances in Sri Lanka today are strongly conducive to significant expansion of the relations between the two countries in respect of trade, investment and tourism.

The participation in this visit by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development was approved by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, with whom External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris had discussions during his visit to South Africa in March this year.

Meetings of the Partnership Development Forum between the two countries will take place in South Africa next month.

Geoffrey Quinton Doidge, South Africa’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, took part in the discussion with Minister Peiris at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Ministry of External Affairs

Colombo