|
Toko Indonesia
 Bayu Krisnamurthi, Vice Minister of Trade for Indonesia
Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia HE Bayu Krisnamurthi was in Durban, South Africa on 13 April 2012 to promote 'South-South Trade and Investment'.
He remarked on the strengthening of bilateral trade between Indonesia and South Africa but noted that there was ample opportunity for expansion from both sides. Given the GDP of both countries he said that trade should be able to reach USD 16 billion.
He went on to say, "Our trade structure is complementary. Indonesia’s major exports to South Africa include palm oil, natural rubber, automotive components, paper and paperboard, woven fabrics, footwear and chemical & chemical products. Major imports from South Africa are chemical wood pulp, cane or beet sugar, ferrous waste and scrap, soybeans, unwrought aluminum, and cotton. There is, however, considerable scope for increasing two-way trade and investment between both countries."
The Minister not only discussed ways to increase trade and investment between the two countries but also pointed out the challenges and ways to overcome them.
Ambassadors Honoured by Chile
Ambassador Francisco Marambio of Chile to South Africa hosted a Decoration Ceremony on 12 April 2012 at his residence in Pretoria. Ambassadors Victor Zazeraj and Billy Modise were the recipients of the Decoration of the Great Cross in the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins, granted to them by the Government of the Republic of Chile.
Ambassador Marambio remarked, "Dear Billy and Victor, as I have said before, the Order Bernardo O’Higgins represents one of Chile’s most valued distinctions. It was created to pay tribute to foreign friends of Chile, who have distinguished themselves in the promotion of a better understanding among foreign countries and Chile, or who are eminent in science, in altruism and in international cooperation. You two gentlemen fulfill all the requisites, set by the Council of the Order, to earn this tribute to you."
Venezuela commemorates April 13
On 13 April 2012 Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela H.E. Prof. Antonio Montilla-Saldivia, Jaennet Franchi and Elizabeth Araujo-Diaz of the Embassy of Venezuela in South Africa (pictured above) placed a floral offering at the bust of Simon Bolivar on the grounds of the Pretoria Art Museum on 13 April 2012. Ambassador Montilla said that April 13 2002 is a memorable date added to the historical anniversaries of Venezuela, a day on which a significant victory was accomplished.
Serbia issues Mandela stamps
The Postal Services of the Republic of Serbia issued a commemorative Nelson Mandela stamp and envelope in celebration of the ANC centenary. The stamp is an artistic composition which contains a portrait of Nelson Mandela, emblem of ANC, map of Africa and national flag of South Africa, together with a text, in Serbian and English, which reads “100 years of selfless struggle 1912-2012”. The artist behind the art processing was Marina Kalezić, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. The commemorative stamp was printed in the circulation of 25 000.
'The Collection of Oil Paintings by Contemporary Chinese Students’
The Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery of the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, will be hosting an exhibition of an exquisite Chinese State Collection ‘Oil paintings by Contemporary Chinese Students’, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
According to Chinese authorities, the first oil painting was introduced to China in 1579, when Western missionaries arrived there to spread Christianity. They not only brought paintings reflecting scenes of Christ and Christianity, but also sowed the seeds of oil painting in China. Over four hundred years, Chinese oil painting has been faced by turbulent times and conflicts between the native culture and foreign trends of thought, and stood up to the social transformation and historical changes. Comparing to the past, contemporary Chinese oil painting has been localised and has become a prominent part in oil painting circles around the world.
Write to the Dean
His Excellency Bene M’Poko Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. in South Africa and Ambassador of the Democratic Republic Congo will be writing a regular column.
The Dean is appointed as the longest serving Head of Mission to South Africa and represents the interests of the diplomatic community posted in SA.
Pretoria is host to the 2nd largest diplomatic representation in the world. Your inputs, suggestions and comments are welcome - write to thedean@thediplomaticsociety.co.za
|
