South African president Ramaphosa attends G7 Summit in France

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Biarritz, France on Sunday for the G7 Summit where he aims to market the country as an investment destination and attractive trade partner.

Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

"The working visit will also provide a platform for President Ramaphosa and members of Cabinet to invite global partners to experience South Africa as an investment destination and trade partner, and to participate in the country’s efforts to secure faster, sustainable and inclusive economic growth and reduce unemployment," Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement. 

Also in France is the president of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kabore who has been invited in his capacities as current chairman of the G5 Sahel.

In 2018, South Africa was invited to attend the G7 summit in Canada following a seven-year absence. This year’s event is focused on the elimination of social, economic and environmental inequalities.

It is structured into three platforms: G7 and Africa Partnership (South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Senegal and the Chair of the African Union Commission); G7 and four Biarritz Partners (South Africa, India, Australia and Chile) and G7 and all partners.

Following the summit, Ramaphosa’s delegation will fly to Japan to participate in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development from Wednesday to Friday.

The conference will focus on science, technology and innovation human resource development and education, the oceans economy, climate change and disaster risk reduction, and agriculture.

Also expected in Japan for the conference is Mali's President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Alpha Condé of Guinea, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

–0– PANA CU/MA 25Aug2019