Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is in Canada on Monday for a working visit to promote investment by Canadian companies in South Africa’s mining sector, among other things.
During the visit, the Deputy President will meet with a range of stakeholders in the mining industry including mining companies, investors, bankers and asset managers, according to the Presidency.
He is also expected to hold meetings with the Canada-South Africa Chamber of Commerce and the Toronto Stock Exchange and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston.
The Department of International Relations said South Africa has close political and economic relations with Canada as demonstrated by the high volumes of trade and investment between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Canada totalled over $1.3 billion in 2012. Exports were more than $634 million, while imports from South Africa were more than $693 million.
Canada is a major player in the mining industry in Africa, and Motlanthe will encourage Canadian companies to invest further in the mining and extractive sector in South Africa.
He will be accompanied by the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant and the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant.
The visit will end on 27 November. – SAnews.gov.za
