SA, Cuba Expanding Cooperation
Pretoria, 29 jul. – South Africa and Cuba hold on Thursday their 8th Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) with the aim to expanding their bilateral and multilateral cooperation to higher level.International Relations Deputy Minister, Ebrahim Ebrahim is co-chairing the meeting in Pretoria which will focus on domestic political and socio-economic issues in both countries while also touching on regional issues.
Cuba is one of South Africa's most important strategic partners in Latin America and the Caribbean and maintains excellent bilateral exchanges in a variety of fields of political and socio-economic activity, BUA News highlighted. There are more than 400 Cuban architects, engineers, electricians and other technical experts deployed throughout South Africa by various line function departments such as human settlements, public works and social development.
The two countries also have a long standing history of cooperation in projects that have provided much-needed healthcare in the continent, BUA News stresses.
Through the Health Cooperation Agreement, more than 500 South Africans have undergone training in Cuba through the medical scholarship programme. There are currently 300 students studying in Cuba, and 103 Cuban doctors working in South Africa.
Although bilateral trade remains low, there has been a steady increase in trade over the past few years and the two countries are working at a strategy to address the trade gaps.
"The JCM is an annual forum to review political bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest and will make provision for the two countries to address issues of national, regional and international concern," spokesperson Saul Molobi was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
The 8th JCM meeting, he said takes place against the background of solid bilateral and fraternal relations established during the past 16 years of official diplomatic relations.(PL)
