Pretoria - South Africa and Mexico today begin talks in what will mark the historic first Bi-National Commission for the two countries.
Apart from working towards strengthening co-operation with each other, the two countries will use the opportunity to among others solidify issues around social development, trade, science and technology and arts and culture.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will co-chair the session with her counterpart Patricia Espinosa, in Mexico, in what has been labelled as an indication of "maturing relations" between the two.
South Africa and Mexico are recognised as newly industrialised countries.
As the word's developing nations are trying to consolidate their recovery strategies following the economic downturn, the two countries are forging new trade alliances to keep their economies afloat.
"The Bi-national Commission is an important mechanism for constructive engagement and dialogue between the two countries, both at a political, bilateral and multilateral co-operation level," says Nkoana-Mashabane's office.
The BNC is the first, following the signing of a MoU for its establishment last year. A number of Agreements were signed, including an Avoidance of Double Taxation and Fiscal Evasion Agreement - which was an attempt to ensure free trade flow between the two countries.
The meeting also comes as the two countries will host major events. Mexico will celebrate 200 years of Independence and 100 years of the Mexican Revolution. Mexico will also be hosting the World Youth Summit later in the year.
South Africa will be hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup and President Jacob Zuma has extended a written invitation to Mexican President Felipe Calderon to attend the opening game which will see the two nations square up against each other.
The economy of Mexico is the 11th largest in the world. As an export-oriented economy, more than 90 percent of Mexican trade is under free trade agreements with more than 40 countries, including the European Union, Japan, Israel, and much of Central and South America.
With South Africa, trade between the two countries has been growing at a steady pace.
Trade Figures in 2009 show that export between the two amounted to R1.21 billion while imports were recorded at R2.25 billion.
