Pretoria – SA President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday afternoon departed South for a working visit to Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
President Ramaphosa, who is visiting Kinshasa at the invitation of his counterpart President Félix Tshisekedi, will on Thursday, (6 July 2023), co-chair the Head of State and Government segment of the 12th Session of DRC –South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).
“The Presidential segment of the BNC is preceded by the Senior Official meeting from 1 to 3 July 2023 and the Ministerial Sectoral meeting on 4 and 5 July 2023,” explained Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa.
The BNC will be conducted by the agreed structure between the two countries, which provides for the establishment of four Sectoral Committees:
- Political and Governance Sectoral Commission co-chaired by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation;
- Defence and Security Sectoral Commission co-chaired by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans;
- Economy, Finance and Infrastructure Sectoral Commission co-chaired by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition; and
- Social and Humanitarian Sectoral Commission co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
“The working visit provides an opportunity for the two Presidents to discuss political and economic bilateral issues, as well as regional, continental, and international matters of mutual concern,” said Magwenya.
“A Business Forum will be held on the margins of the BNC on 06 July 2023, and the two Heads of State and Government will participate in the Business Forum.
“The Business Forum will offer the private sector opportunities for both countries to explore possible trade and investment contracts in South Africa and DRC.
“The seminar will primarily focus on four key sectors of agriculture and agro-processing, energy and infrastructure, health and pharmaceuticals, and mining.”
President Ramaphosa will be supported by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; State Security; Defence and Military Veterans; Trade, Industry, and Competition; Police; Mineral Resources and Energy; Transport; Home Affairs and Social Development.
