Cape Town - Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is expected to meet with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan during his visit in Cape Town.
The pair, who will meet at the minister's office in 120 Plein Street in Parliament, are expected to discuss bilateral political and economic relations between the two countries and developments in Africa and South Africa as well as the Middle East.
They will also hold talks regarding how the United Arab Emirates can support South Africa in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will host her counterpart within the context of strengthening bilateral political, economic and trade relations.
The United Arab Emirates and South Africa have enjoyed a close relationship since 1994, when the former Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan visited South Africa.
This was followed by the opening of embassies in both capitals in 1995.
Both former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki had visited the United Arab Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates is the 24th largest market for South African products. It is a major investor in South Africa, the largest investment being Dubai World's acquisition of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
There are some 210 South African companies with representative offices in the United Arab Emirates and many have been involved in major projects in the UAE. There is also a large South African expatriate community in the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates is one of South Africa's lucrative markets in the Gulf and current statistics show that trade between the countries, especially gold exports from South Africa, is gaining momentum.
Apart from gold, South Africa is also a major exporter of steel to the emirates and South African construction, consultancy and service sectors are also playing a big role in the rapid development of the UAE.
Major South African exports comprise base metals and allied products, steel for both construction and general engineering, machinery, electronics equipment, minerals; defence equipment; chemicals, plastic goods and foodstuff, while the United Arab Emerites exports include oil-related products, machinery, transportation equipment, consumer electronics among others.
The two ministers will hold a joint press briefing following their meeting this evening.
