SA to strengthen relations with Haiti

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers has arrived in Haiti after concluding a successful visit to Suriname.

Haiti is the fourth country the Deputy Minister is visiting as part of his five nation tour to the Caribbean.

The visits seek to promote and sustain linkages between South Africa and the Caribbean in the areas of trade and investment, science and technology, travel and tourism, communication and transportation infrastructure, energy, information and communication technology and cultural industries.

During his visit to Haiti, the Deputy Minister is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Foreign Affairs Minister Lener Renauld. The Deputy Minister will also pay a courtesy call on President Michel Martelly.

While in Suriname, Deputy Minister Landers held bilateral discussions with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Lackin which saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations.

“The MoU will serve as a framework for the two countries to manage their bilateral relations and will further help to strengthen diplomatic relations,” Dirco said on Monday.

The Deputy Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the Central Bank of Suriname, Gilmore Hoefdraad, where they exchanged views on various pertinent issues and also echoed the need for South Africa and Suriname to find common areas of cooperation.

Suriname and South Africa enjoy cordial reciprocal diplomatic relations since 1995. 

The economy of Suriname is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil, gold and alumina accounting for about 85% of its exports. – SAnews.gov.za