Middle East

1
Strategic Plan - March 2004

• Middle East
• ____________
• SA is represented by 12 Missions in 9 Countries
  in the Middle East
• Primary strategic significance of the region
  emerges from its role as the repository of and
  conduit for the worlds largest oil reserves as
  well as sources of natural gas
• Region has great impact on international
  stability due to the Israeli/Arab Conflict
• US led war on Iraq
• Middle East Conflict remains a global concern. SA
  remains seized with the situation in the Middle
  East
• Strategic importance for South Africa
• Region provides approximately 80 of SAs oil
  imports
• Market for SAs industrial, commercial
  agricultural products
• promising source of tourists, investment and
  technical co-operation
• Important constituency for the agenda of the
  South. Most countries in region - important
  players in forums of the South

2
Strategic Plan - March 2004

• Asia and Australasia
• _________________
• SAs interaction with Asia and Australasia has
  increased markedly since 1994.
• Currently we have 16 resident Mission in 13
  countries and territories
• Asia - comprises both developed and developing
  countries
• Strategic importance to SA trade
• Japan and the ASEAN Countries feature prominently
  as markets for SA industrial products
• Growing affluence in India and China - potential
  for exports of value added goods
• Discussions with India China on FTA
• Africa-Asia co-operation/Support for NEPAD
• TICAD China Africa Forum India-Africa Fund.
  This co-operation is being synchronized with
  implementation of NEPAD
• South- South co-operation
• Asian-African Sub Regional Organisations Meeting
  (AASROC)
• Strong Asian membership in Developing country
  groupings - NAM, G77China, G20