President Cyril Ramaphosa: Germany Official Visit

• Published date: 24 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

It is an honour to receive Chancellor Scholz and his delegation this morning.

Germany is one of South Africa's most valued strategic partners.

It is our second largest trading partner, a major investor and a big market for inbound tourism.

South Africa is currently home to around 600 German companies and bilateral trade between our two countries is growing.

We have discussed avenues to increase trade and investment of German companies in South Africa, but also of South African companies into Germany.

Germany is committed to support our efforts towards industrialisation, infrastructure development and job creation as laid out in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

Germany has been a partner in development since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries and the inauguration of the Bi-National Commission in 1996.

This cooperation has been in a range of fields, including good governance and strengthening democracy, HIV prevention, climate actions and energy.

On the latter, we have discussed the next steps in the Just Transition Partnership concluded between South Africa, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union last year.

This historic partnership will support our just transition to a low-carbon economy and climate resilient society in a manner that leaves no-one behind.

Later today, Chancellor Scholz and his delegation will be visiting Sasol, where we will be launching a...