AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Good prospects for second South Africa, Brazil and India summit in mid October

Pretoria (Agenzia Fides) - Ever stronger is the South Africa, India and Brazil alliance in the field of negotiations on free trade agreements with northern hemisphere countries. This was announced by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, head of the Asia and Middle East department of the South Africa's foreign ministry, who said the three countries would meet for a second three day summit in South Africa 15 to 17 October.
India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) constitute a player which neither the G8 nor the United Nations can ignore. These countries have already presented a joint proposal for the reform of the United Nations Organisation and now they intend to make their voices heard on questions relative to international trade and globalisation of financial markets.
“Last year during the first summit IBSA countries signed five agreements and we expect to sign another four at this year's summit ” said Ambassador Matjila.
The most important is a free trade agreement aimed to intensify trade between the countries. “Commercial statistics are good, at present between 6 and 7 billion dollars” the South African diplomat affirmed. With a three point free trade agreement this figure could reach 10 billion dollars, the head of the Asia and Middle East section of South Africa's Foreign Ministry added.
The summit participants will also discuss healthcare, energy, high level education, public administration and social development.
At the summit in Brasilia last year the IBSA countries signed important agreements to open new maritime routes to facilitate transport of products and to set up a team of experts to examine opportunities offered by consumption and trade of bio- combustibles, first of all ethanol, of which Brazil is one of the world's main producers and of which South Africa wants to increase its production. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 4/10 /2007 righe 27 parole 345)