President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for a State Visit to take place from Saturday until Sunday.
Ramaphosa’s visit is at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness (HRH) King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and he will be hosted by HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
The President is accompanied by Ministers Naledi Pandor of International Relations and Cooperation; Thoko Didiza of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform; Ebrahim Patel of Trade, Industry, and Competition; Gwede Mantashe of Mineral Resources and Energy, Fikile Mbalula of Transport and Thandi Modise of Defence & Military Veterans.
President Ramaphosa’s arrival in Jeddah will see the President having a bilateral meeting with His Royal Highness (HRH) King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/yUtfYtzDNc
— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) October 14, 2022
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Saudi Arabia were formalised in 1994 with four of South Africa’s democratically elected Presidents having visited the Kingdom to date.
South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy a strategic bilateral partnership based on cordial and fraternal relations.
The discussions would focus on export market opportunities for South African produce and on South Africa as an investment destination as well as an entry point into Southern Africa and beyond within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also feature discussions on the Africa free trade area. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/B0yWsXhc5P
— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) October 14, 2022
The recent 9th session of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Council held from 3-4 October 2022 launched the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council.
The Joint Business Council brings together leading business people from both countries to deepen economic ties as Saudi Arabia is the largest source of imports from the Middle East region.
Total bilateral trade between South Africa and Saudi Arabia amounted to R66 billion in 2021.
Saudi Arabia optimistic about investment in SA:
Business engagements
Ramaphosa will also participate in high-level business engagements with leading businesspersons as well as institutional and private investors. In this regard, the President will deliver the closing remarks at the Saudi Arabia – South Africa Investment Forum and participate in Saudi Arabia – South Africa Investment Roundtable.
The high-level meetings will also afford the leaders an opportunity to discuss bilateral, continental, and global issues, and to reaffirm their commitment to further cooperate closely on multilateral issues.
President Cyril Ramaphosa heads to Saudi Arabia for a two day state visit: Thembisa Fakude:
