South Africa : SA Deputy Defence Minister visits Indonesia

Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Defence Fezile Bhengu is to visit Indonesia this week to strengthen ties between the two countries and attend the INDO Defence and Aerospace 2008 Expo and Forum.

Mr Bhengu and a senior delegation left for the south-east Asian country on Monday.

According to a statement released by the department, South Africa and Indonesia share long-standing and cordial relations, which are based on solid agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of defence.

The agreement includes the exchange of information on defence policies, exchange of officers for training and mutual visits. The two countries have agreed to exchange scientific and technological data, experts, technicians, trainers, as well as other forms of technical cooperation based on the principle of reciprocity and mutual consent, the department said.

The MoU also covers the promotion of cooperation between the defence industry institutions.

In this regard, the deputy minister's visit will add impetus to the promotion of cooperation between the South African and Indonesian defence industries.

The South African industry is expected to share its knowledge and best practices with the Indonesian counterpart.

In September 2008, South Africa had extended an invitation to Indonesia to attend the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD), the Africa's premier defence expo held in Cape Town.

The two countries have also agreed to work closely in various fields such as the trade, finance, banking, agriculture, fishery, mineral and energy, tourism, chamber of commerce, economic free-zone, investments and other areas of common interests. - BuaNews