Combating organised crime and illegal migration were identified on Tuesday as two areas of potential cooperation between South Africa and Mexico.
Organised crime is a challenge both countries face, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad told reporters in Pretoria after hosting his Mexican counterpart, Maria de Lourdes Aranda Bezaury, for political and economic talks.
While Mexico is surrounded by countries renowned for drug production and promotion, South Africa is increasingly becoming a centre for international drug trafficking, he said.
South Africa has much to learn from Mexico’s experience in combating the problem. To this end, Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils has been invited to visit Mexico to discuss the issue with experts there.
Illegal migration is also a problem on which the two countries can exchange experiences, Pahad said.
Bezaury stressed the importance of country-to-country cooperation in addressing the illegal trade in drugs, persons and arms.
The two countries can also share experiences and technical expertise on combating money laundering.
The two officials identified a need to expand trade between their two countries.
Mexico is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, after Brazil, while South Africa is Mexico’s largest partner in Africa.
South African exports to Mexico were about R1,4-billion last year, while imports from Mexico amounted to about R735-million.
Sixty-two percent of South African exports to Mexico comprise steel and steel products.
”We’ve agreed that we can do much more in the economic field,” Pahad said.
Agreements on the avoidance of double taxation, the protection of investments, and bilateral air transport will be concluded in future.
Other challenges the countries have in common is tackling poverty and underdevelopment, as well as environmental degradation.
They also share the role in their respective regions in dealing with conflicts.
Bezaury is also to meet South Africa’s deputy ministers of home affairs and social development. — Sapa