Pretoria - South Africa and Congo will this morning meet for the second session of the South Africa-Congo Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), which is aimed at revitalising the diplomatic, political and economic relations that exist between the two countries.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her counterpart Basile Ikouebe will co-chair the session, which is being held in Brazzaville.
“The two ministers are expected to discuss the modalities to concretise further cooperation between South Africa and the Republic of Congo in key priority areas, which include economic development, trade, agriculture, energy, transport, defence and security as well as diplomatic and political matters,” said International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela.
Since the establishment of formal relations, the two countries enjoy cordial bilateral relations that are structured through the JCC as a mechanism to monitor and guide the implementation of agreements.
Total trade between South Africa and the Republic of Congo was approximately R1 billion in 2013.
South Africans are also involved in the Republic of Congo's agriculture, nature conservation and tourism industry.
There are a number of South African companies operating in the Republic of Congo, including MTN, South African Airways (SAA), Sahara African Aviation, Distell, Exxaro, Apalia, and RRL Grindrod. – SAnews.gov.za
