South Africa to host the 6th SA-EU Summit this week

South Africa will host the 6th SA-European Union Summit on Thursday, 18 July 2013, in Pretoria under the theme: “Job Creation Through Inward Investment”.
 
The theme of the Summit is in response to the diverse demands of South Africa’s National Development Plan.
 
The EU Delegation will be led by President Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and President Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.
 
The Summit will be utilised to:

• Highlight job creation initiatives that South Africa is implementing;
• Elevate existing SA-EU job creation initiatives; and
• Encourage the continuation of EU development cooperation in South Africa.
 
The EU has maintained its lead as South Africa’s most important regional trading partner between 2000 and 2011. SA-EU total trade grew 13% in 2011 year-on-year and reflects a high sectoral diversity, including manufactured goods, commodities and agriculture.
 
Processed and semi-processed goods represented more than 50% of total South African exports to the EU and 79% of EU exports to South Africa.
 
The EU is also South Africa’s main development assistance partner, amounting to €980 million for the period 2007-2013, with a further €900 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the same period.
 
For more information, please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
 
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION