International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo has today, 15 November 2016, concluded her successful visit to Central Asia.

The visit focussed mainly on intensifying South Africa’s relations with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and to explore the expansion of areas of cooperation, with specific focus on economic cooperation and academic exchanges.

Whilst in Kazakhstan, the Deputy Minister co-chaired the fifth round of bilateral consultations between South Africa and Kazakhstan with her Kazakh counterpart, Mr Akylbek Kamaldinov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The two countries share the belief that the relationship offers much scope for expansion and closer cooperation in key areas such as trade. For this reason, Deputy Minister Mfeketo made use of her time in Kazakhstan to meet with business representatives in order to highlight opportunities for Kazakh businesses looking to expand into South Africa and Africa.

In Turkmenistan, Deputy Minister Mfeketo held bilateral talks with her counterpart, Mr Berdi Myatiev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, where they shared views on how the two countries can further strengthen their relations.

South Africa views Turkmenistan as potentially an important partner in the Central Asian region. The people-to-people relationship spans many years and Turkmenistan, like Kazakhstan, is recognised for its solidarity with the people of South Africa during the liberation struggle era.

Source: Government of South Africa