Relations between Azerbaijan and South Africa are intensifying

Azerbaijan intends to diversify economic opportunities not only to Asia, but also the leading countries of the "Dark Continent."

On the eve of the local Fund Export and Investment Promotion (AZPROMO) organized a meeting of business leaders from the South African government delegation led by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Marius Fransmanni.

According to the head of AZPROMO Rufat Mammadov, economic relations with this country are not yet developed. Trade turnover between the two countries in 2012 amounted to less than $ 500 million from there (mostly imported fruits) and from here there were products of the chemical industry. However, South Africa is one of the leading suppliers of agricultural products on the world market, while it has a lot to learn from the Azerbaijanis in the fuel and energy complex.

The day before the arrival of the South African delegation in Baku, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to South Africa Elkhan Polukhov said that the two countries have not yet signed any document or interstate agreements, with the exception of a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of diplomatic ties. Want to start with the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports and approval of the initial version of the agreement on avoidance of double taxation, which will be the main documents for the establishment of full-fledged interstate relations.

At the ministerial level there is a relationship in the program of student exchange of the diplomatic academies of the two countries, and there is scheduled to sign a memorandum between the Baku State University and the University of Pretoria, and other universities. The Ministry of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan also carries out joint "point" projects with South Africa, but there is a potential of additional features. - 17D-