International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has expressed South Africa’s gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for backing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ongoing ambitious investment drive.

Pandor made the remarks in Pretoria on Monday as she hosted a working visit of the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud.

“South Africa has been most appreciative of the ready support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given to President Ramaphosa’s investment drive. The foreign direct investment by Saudi Arabia will make a sterling contribution to our ambition to grow our economy and create employment,” said Pandor.

The event was also attended by senior officials from both countries, including the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to South Africa, Sultan al Angari.

“I wish to welcome the honourable minister to South Africa and to our ministry and department at the OR Tambo Building. This is the minister’s first official visit to South Africa and I certainly hope the first of many. I believe today marks the start of a further strengthening of the strong bilateral relations which exist between our countries,” said Pandor.

She said the two ministers had previously engaged virtually during the lockdown period and exchanged “open views” on several contemporary issues.

“I hope this positive interaction will continue into the future and contribute to building strong mutually beneficial relations. This year has been a tumultuous year for all humanity. We are all grappling with the challenge of Covid-19 and with continuing to sustain international co-operation in a context of reduced opportunity for direct physical contact,” said Pandor.

“We are most grateful for the support many of our global partners provided to Africa during our most challenging moments. Saudi Arabia has played a critical role in ensuring global responsiveness due to its leadership of the G20.”

She highlighted that South Africa has played a key role in developing a co-ordinated African response to the Covid-19 pandemic from the health and economic perspectives.

“Saudi Arabia’s support for Africa’s call for debt relief and debt standstill agreement has been invaluable. The kingdom occupies a very strategic role in the Middle East and I believe that our co-operation could see both our countries playing a central role in helping to achieve peace, justice, stability and development in our regions,” said Pandor.

“Your Highness, there are many challenges and opportunities confronting the new normal of this Covid-19 reality. I hope our deliberations will lay a firm foundation for assisting our countries to achieve their development objectives and priorities.”

The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) said the high-level engagement was focusing on bilateral discussion and political consultations.

“South African and Saudi Arabia’s relations were established in 1995 and are strengthening following regular interactions at a high level. South Africa’s friendship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exemplifies relations based on mutual interest, trust and respect,” according to Dirco.

The strategic importance of Saudi Arabia to South Africa has been demonstrated by the visits of former presidents Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma to the oil-rich nation. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also visited the Kingdom.

Currently, the bilateral relations are managed through a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and co-chaired by the respective trade ministers. The JEC is the highest represented and most active bilateral mechanism between South Africa and Saudi Arabia, although the two countries are looking to separate the political and social issues from the JEC and launch bilateral political consultations (BPC).