The South African Diamond Trade could get a boost as Belgium has become the latest country to show its confidence in SA with a five-day state visit by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde – their very first to South Africa or the African continent.
The entourage includes a top delegation of Belgian Cabinet ministers and officials, emphasising that Belgium is the 5th largest exporter and 3rd largest European Union importer of goods to South Africa.
Chemical products and machinery are among the chief exports of Belgium to South Africa. The country’s imports from South Africa include diamonds, transport equipment and chemical products.
The visit by the Belgian monarch is a reflection of the “deep and abiding friendship of the two countries” and would strengthen the “mutually beneficial relationship” that Belgium and South Africa enjoy.
The king and the queen are expected to arrive today and visit the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator at Corner 38 Bonaero Drive and, Cote D Azur Ave, Bonaero Park, Kempton Park.
Paul Jansen, Belgian ambassador to South Africa, who was among 18 heads of mission to present their credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “The state visit is a reflection of the strength of the relationship that exists between Belgium and South Africa; the warm friendship that the two nations enjoy and the status of both countries as strong trade partners.”
The State Visit will serve to expand and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and revitalise economic relations with a focus on trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism.
South Africa and Belgium are also pursuing cooperation in renewable energy and in particular, green hydrogen.
Belgium is one of South Africa’s most important economic partners and many of South Africa’s exports enter Europe through the Port of Antwerp, which is the second largest in the European Union.
South Africa enjoys a healthy trade surplus with Belgium with organic chemicals as the key export, followed closely by diamonds and motor vehicles.
Belgian companies are also significant investors in the South African economy.
Belgium is traditionally among the ten major sources of international tourists to South Africa.
Relations between South Africa and Belgium are managed through a Joint Commission that meets at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.
Mr Alvin Botes, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the Fourth Meeting of South Africa – Belgium Joint Commission in Pretoria on 8 November 2022.
King Philippe’s delegation will comprise political, economic, and academic leadership including the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hadja Lahbib, as well as the Ministers-President and representatives of the five regions of Belgium.
The programme of the monarchs will include official engagements with President Ramaphosa and members of government as well as visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town where they will engage with academia, business, and civil society, and visit historical and cultural sites.
As received from the South African Diamond & Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR) Diamond Trade
NOTICE
From: Chief Executive Officer
To: Diamond Trade and Precious Metals Industries
Date: 22 March 2020
Enquiries Mr. Ephraim Matlala
Subject: Limited Access to the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator’s Offices situated at the OR Tambo Airport Special Economic Zone (Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct) at Corner Bonaero Drive and Cote’ D Azur Avenue, Kempton Park.
To our dear Industry stakeholders,
This communique’ serves to inform the Diamonds and Precious Metals Industries (“the Industries”) about a planned State visit to the Republic of South African from 23 – 27 March 2003 by King Phillippe and Queen Mathilda of Belgium who will be hosted by the President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa for the duration of their visit.
The Belgian state visit to South Africa is of utmost importance as it demonstrates a strong bilateral relation that exists between the two countries, as both countries have forged a fruitful trade, investment, tourism, climate change and science and technology cooperation. The state visit will therefore signal the two countries’ readiness to further enhance their political and economic relations.
The state visit’s itinerary includes a visit on 24 March 2023 to the OR Tambo International Airport Special Economic Zone (“ORTIA SEZ”) – Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct, the Precinct within which the SADPMR’s head office is situated.
Therefore, this communique’ serves to inform you that, it is anticipated that the visit by the Belgian Monarch to the ORTIA SEZ on Friday, 24 March 2024 will comprise of a high-calibre delegation from both countries, and as a result, the normal daily operations routine of the entire Jewellery Precinct, including that of the SADPMR offices and access thereto will be very limited, as the access control will be handed over to the South African Police Service VIP Protection Unit to ensure safety of the visiting delegation.
As such, industry is hereby notified that the SADPMR’s operations and services will, on 20 Friday 2023 from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm, be very minimal due to the Belgian Monarch’s visit to the ORTIA SEZ. Please note, however, that the SADPMR’s operations and services will immediately thereafter resume as normal
Should there be any further clarity pertaining to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Adv. Paul Motsepe or Mr. Ephraim Matlala on: 0678822745 / 0672632585.
Thanking you in advance for your co-operation. Kind regards
MR CECIL KHOSA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DATE: 22 March 2023