Doha: In a significant diplomatic move, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa will embark on a State Visit to Qatar this Wednesday, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict expected to be a major topic of discussion. The visit comes at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and is set to span two days, specifically on 14 and 15 November.

According to South African Government News Agency, the visit aims to address the ongoing human catastrophe in Palestine, violations of international human rights, and the large-scale loss of life, particularly in Gaza. Both leaders will explore strategies to prevent the conflict from escalating further in the region and seek a peaceful resolution. South Africa has expressed its support for Qatar’s mediation efforts in this crisis.

The meeting between President Ramaphosa and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will also cover a range of geopolitical issues affecting the world. The visit marks President Ramaphosa’s first to Qatar as Head of State, reinforcing the 30-year diplomatic relationship between South Africa and Qatar. The discussions are expected to extend beyond political matters, focusing on enhancing economic ties, trade, investment, and tourism.

Trade

Qatar has emerged as South Africa’s fifth-largest trading partner in the Middle East. In 2022, South African exports to Qatar amounted to approximately $206 million, with imports from Qatar reaching $252 million. The Presidency highlighted the significant role of the manufacturing sector, which constituted about 56% of South Africa’s total exports to Qatar.

South Africa’s imports from Qatar have seen a substantial increase between 2017 and 2022, primarily driven by the import of petroleum oils. To deepen trade relations, a high-level delegation of South African businesspeople will accompany the President on his visit.

The visit will also focus on exploring cooperation opportunities with the Qatari business community in various sectors such as creative industries, energy, mining, agro-processing, retail, healthcare, tourism, and shipbuilding. Notably, South Africa’s significant investment in Qatar, particularly in the petrochemical-related sector, stands at approximately USD 8.7 billion. Sasol, a South African company, holds a 49% shareholding with Qatar Petroleum in ORYX GTL, the world’s first commercial-scale gas-to-liquids plant, utilizing Sasol’s GTL technology.