South Africa is to sign a R4,3-billion partnership deal with the European Union on Thursday for new development cooperation in the country for the period 2003 to 2006.
In terms of the deal, the EU will provide nearly â,¬130-million (more than R1-billion) a year for new development projects in the country, the European Commission and the government said in a joint statement.
These programmes will focus on education, health, vocational training, water and sanitation, private sector development, rural and urban development, and regional cooperation, as well as the promotion of human rights.
”The programme will place a growing emphasis on core cross-cutting issues such as HIV/Aids, good governance, environmental protection and institutional capacity building and gender equality.”
The cooperation programme is the third of its kind to be signed during the past decade.
”Since 1994 the European Programme for Reconstruction and Development (EPRD) has provided nearly â,¬1-billion towards tackling the development issues in South Africa.”
The programme has helped the government to provide clean water, sanitation, adult education, schools, better health services and houses to citizens.
Significant investment in the small business sector and local economic development have been among the other benefits flowing from the programme.
Besides the government, the EPRD partnership also included civil society organisations, the statement said. — Sapa