Function on the occasion of the Independence Day
28.07.2016
On July 28, 2016 at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in South Africa a function on the occasion of the Independence Day was hosted. There were invited representatives of South-African Government, diplomats, ruling party, mass-media and business as well as Belarusian Diaspora in South Africa.
The honorary guest of the event was the Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr. Andries Nel.
Addressing the guests, H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Andrei Molchan noted dynamic development of bilateral relations between Belarus and South Africa as well as with other countries in the region. His Excellency gave the most striking examples of successful cooperation.
Mr. Andries Nel noted that the development of the Belarusian-South African relations moved to a qualitatively new level and there are serious perspectives for further development. The Deputy Minister stressed that the Belarusian potential in the agricultural, educational, industrial and high-tech sectors will be in demand in South Africa.
During the event the representatives of the Southern African states and business held a lively exchange of views with Belarusian counterparts on the issues of further development of trade-economic and bilateral political relations.
Pictures from the function could be find there: https://www.facebook.com/186051588433218/photos/?tab=album&album_id=280235979014778
Addressing to the guest of H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Andrei Molchan:
Dear Mr. Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs;
His Royal Heritage Mr. Mkiva;
Official representatives of the Republic of South Africa;
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Congo H.E. Mr.BENE M'POKO
Dear colleagues: Ambassadors and High Commissioners, members of Diplomatic Corps,
Representatives of Mass Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen!
I WELCOME all of you at the reception on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Belarus. Over those years the country has passed a difficult but successful path of development.
Belarusians do not blame or deny their past. We have chosen evolutionary transformation, aimed at peace, security and tolerance. Belarus has preserved all the best inherited from the Soviet Union, and significantly increased its potential, turned itself into a modern industrial and agricultural country with advanced and yet free Education and Healthcare systems.
In spite of the global economic turmoil which has affected belarusian industry and export the socio-economic situation remains stable and manageable. Unemployment rate is not exceeded 1 %. According to the UN Human Development Index Belarus is a country with high human development and keeps the 50th position. In the World Bank's ranking “Doing the Business, 2016” Belarus has reached 44th position. We are among 30 most developed countries with the highest level of educational development.
Belarus continues to hold leading regional and world’s positions in vehicle and machinery engineering, agriculture, information technologies, in the production of optic and laser devices, medical equipment, fertilizers, chemicals.
We have reached national food security and became the major food, especially milk and meat products, exporter in the world.
The priority for Belarus foreign policy is a peace-loving multi-vector international relations. Belarus is an active and responsible member of the UN and strives for its contribution to the solution of global issues. That is why, in particular, the capital city Minsk has been chosen as a place for the peace negotiations on the Ukraine situation.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
As an Ambassador of Belarus in 5 Southern African states I’m glad to see growing interest of those nations in cooperation with my country.
Obviously, as a country of residence, South Africa takes a lead in this process. Minsk and Pretoria have the most diversified relations among countries of sub-Sahara Africa which include established intergovernmental committees, wide legal framework, variety of fields of cooperation, trade and economic ties. Now we’re preparing for the next round of political consultations and session of the Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission which will take place here till the end of this year. By the way according to the belarusian customs data in 2015 the trade between two our countries first time exceeded 120 mln. US dollars mostly due to the south-african fruit exporters.
Last year we focused on establishment of direct ties between south-African and belarusian provinces. One by one we involve Free State, Eastern Cape, North West in inter-Regional activity. I’m glad to inform you that as a result of joint efforts last month first 44 students from Free State arrived in Minsk to study Agriculture and IT in Belarusian universities.
More and more companies, business-, farmers- or industrial associations and confederations of both countries are interested in mutually beneficial cooperation. Together we started to work on the joint initiatives in agriculture, industry. We propose to build in South Africa its own production of tractors and trucks based on our know-how and technology.
In the light of forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio I must mention strengthening relations between National Olympic Committee of Belarus and SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.
Working together with our friends in other SADC countries we’ve discovered a vast range of opportunities in many spheres. We’ve developed and began implementation of comprehensive “road maps” of cooperation with Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe. With all those countries we can recently see a high dynamic of political dialogue, raise of bilateral trade, implementation of joint projects.
I’m proud to say that just for the last 2 – 3 years Belarus and Southern African states have become much closer to each other than decades before. I’m very optimistic that this positive trend will continue.
Dear friends!
Belarus is ready to share with Southern African countries its knowledge, experience and technologies especially in machine building, agriculture, health, defense, border control, science, health and education.
I am confident that our partnership, in spite of the distance, will be fruitful and successful.
And in the conclusion I’d like to thank our sponsors which represent the leading Belarusian companies here in South Africa for assistance in organizing this event. These are the company “BelAZ Africa”, which successfully dealing with the biggest mining trucks BELAZ, and our one of the largest software and IT company “IBA Group”.
