Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is to visit South Korea to promote the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (Asgisa) and to obtain support for the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa), BuaNews reports.

Asgisa aims to increase South Africa's economic growth to 6% by 2014, in order to halve poverty and unemployment by that time.

This is to be made possible by among others, the development of vital skills through Jipsa.

Mlambo-Ngcuka will be hosted by Prime Minister Han Duck Soo during the visit, which is scheduled for Wednesday to Thursday.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between the deputy president and the prime minister are expected to include:

- The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between both countries;
- A briefing by Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka on the African agenda including the African Union and the implementation of NEPAD;
- Increased co-operation in the field of science and technology; and
- Global issues of common interest including nuclear non-proliferation and the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.

While in South Korea, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Roh Moo-hyun.

She will also address an investment seminar; hold discussions with representatives of the Division for International Higher Education; pay visits to the Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the LG Electronics Industrial site, and to lay a wreath at the National Memorial Board.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has identified a number of products and services for which there is potential for South African businesses within the Korean market:

These include agro-processed goods: meat, vegetables, mohair, wine, juice and tea; automotive parts: aftermarket for imported foreign cars and OEM; jewellery: pieces, gold, diamonds, platinum; chemicals; pharmaceuticals, skin and hair care products; arts and craft; capital equipment or services; electro technical equipment or services; defence equipment and services or franchising.

The deputy president will be supported by Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad. - BuaNews

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