Ambassador Andrei Molchan presented his credentials to President of the Republic of South Africa

02 February 2012

On February 1, 2012 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of South Africa Andrei Molchan presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma.

At a solemn ceremony Ambassador Andrei Molchan extended greetings of the Belarusian Head of State to Jacob Zuma. The parties expressed interest in boosting bilateral cooperation.

Note: The political and economic relations between Belarus and South Africa are developing steadily.

In 2011 the bilateral trade (oil products and potash fertilizers included) made $20.8 million, including $14.7 million of export. Belarus posted a trade surplus of $8.6 million. The export grew by 49.7% over 2010 (oil, oil products and potash fertilizers not included).

In 2011 South Africa hosted ministerial consultations on the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers of the two countries and the Second Session of the Belarus-South Africa Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

In July 2011 Belarus took part in the South African international trade exhibition «SAITEX». Belarus arranged a National Exposition and presented products and services of 24 Belarusian companies and organizations.

Belarus’ commodity distribution network in South Africa is represented by «Russo-balt BELAZ» (BelAZ dealer) and the trading house of «Belshina» – «BelTyre Africa (Pty) Ltd». «Variquip» promotes Minsk Tractor Works in RSA.

The scientific cooperation between Belarusian and South African universities is developing successfully. During «SAITEX 2011» exhibition the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus signed agreements with South African companies to cooperate in designing mining equipment.

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