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Nepal-South Africa Relations
Political Relation
The relations between Nepal and South Africa have been excellent. Nepal established diplomatic relations with South Africa on 28 July 1994. Until February 2010, the Embassy of Nepal in Cairo was accredited to South Africa.
However, in view of increasing interaction and interdependence between Nepal and South Africa; the importance and influence of South Africa in international affairs; possibility of gains from mutual trade, tourism, investment and technology transfer; and employment opportunities for Nepalese workforce, the Government of Nepal, in August 2009, decided to open its residential embassy in Pretoria and finally the Nepalese Embassy in Pretoria was established on February 10, 2010. H. E. Mr.Arun Prasad Dhital, the first Nepalese residential Ambassador to South Africa, assumed his Office at Pretoria on 12 April 2010. The High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in Colombo is accredited to Nepal.
The bilateral relations between Nepal and South Africa have been marked by growing mutual trust and deeper understanding. Nepal as vice-chairman of the United Nations Special committee against Apartheid significantly contributed to the elimination of apartheid in South Africa. Both Nepal and South Africa are active members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). At the United Nations and other international forums, both Nepal and South Africa hold similar views on issues relating to the promotion of peace, democracy, human rights and right to development of developing countries.
Major Bilateral Visits
High level visits are as follows:
- The then Prime Minister Mr.Girija Prasad Koirala visited South Africa in September 1998 to participate in the XII Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Durban.
- The then Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr.TaranathRanabhat participated in the Inter Parliamentary Meeting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg from August 29 to 30, 2002.
- The then Minister for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Badahur Singh visited South Africa in April 2002 to participate in the NAM Foreign Minister’s meeting held in Durban
- The then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr.PrakashSharanMahat visited Durban, South Africa in August 2004 leading the Nepalese delegation to the XIV Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). At the same time, Dr.Mahat also attended the Second Asian African Sub-regional Organisations Conference (AASROC) also held in Durban on 20 August, 2004.
- Former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal visited South Africa on November 19-24, 2005.
- A Nepalese delegation led by the then Acting Auditor General Mr.Khem Prasad Dahal visited South Africa from 21 to 28 November 2010 in order to participate the XXth International Organization of Supreme Auditor Institutions held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Former Prime Minister Hon’ble Mr.JhalanathKhanal,in his capacity of Chairman of Nepal Communist Party UML, visited South Africa in the first week of December 2010 to participate in the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties held in Pretoria, South Africa.
- A Nepalese delegation led by Hon’bleMr. Neel KanthaUpreti, Acting Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal visited South Africa in February 2011 in order to have a study and observation of organizational structure and functioning of South African Independent Election Commission and of democratic elections of South Africa.
- A Nepalese delegation led by Hon’ble Prof. Krishna Prasad Pokharel, Member of Public Service Commission of Nepal visited South Africa from 21 November to 26 November, 2011 in order to have a study of various aspects of Civil Service in South Africa and organizational structure and functioning of South African Public Service Commission.
- Honourable Mr. Hem Raj Tater, Minister for Environment led a Nepalese delegation to participate in the Seventeenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) and the Seventh Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 7) held in Durban, South Africa from 28 November to 9 December 2011. Honourable Mr. Mohammed OkilMusalman, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation was also the member of Nepalese delegation.
In addition to above high level visits, A number of Nepalese delegations at different levels both from government and non-government sectors has visited South Africa, particularly to participate in international conferences in recent years and to study and observe the peace process, transitional management and democratic and federal system of South Africa. A Nepalese youth delegation in December 2010; a delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister of Nepal in April 2011; a Nepalese journalist’s delegation in February 2010 are some of the examples. S.No. FY Export (Rs.) Import (Rs.) Trade Balance (Rs.)
Economic Relations
Economic relations have been gradually strengthened between the two countries in recent days, particularly along with the establishment of the Nepalese Embassy in Pretoria.However, Development Cooperation record has not been found between Nepal and South Africa so far.
Trade
According to Trade and Export Promotion Centre, in 2010/11, Nepal exported goods worth NRS 81,878,402 to South Africa and imported to the tune of NRS 580,539,182.While the major exports constituted carpet, garments, paintings and drawings, statuettes and ornaments etc, aircrafts engines and parts, machinery, copper scrap, wine, juice, cloves, were among the items imported from South Africa in the financial year 2010/11.
The trends to import and export vis-á-vis South Africa in recent years are as follows:
1. 2001/2002 10,098,000 90,889,000 -80,791,000
2. 2002/2003 7,393,000 117,007,000 -109,614,000
3. 2003/2004 16,355,000 321,810,000 - 305,455,000
4. 2004/2005 23,850,289 162,426,698 -138,576,409
5. 2005/2006 16,245,000 25,510,000 -9,265,000
6. 2009/2010 62,486,214 74,545,672 -12,059,458
Foreign Investment and technology transfer:
Recently, South African investors have started to show interest in investment and technology transfer with Nepal. Investment has been made in few areas.
Tourism
The number of South African tourists in Nepal, particularly for adventure tourism, has increased in recent years. The establishment of residential Embassy in South Africa is expected to generate awareness among the South African masses about Nepal and its tourist attractions.
Air Links
There is no direct flight between Nepal and South Africa, however, air connections are available via Middle East countries, Arabs, India and South East Asia
Foreign Employment
Some Nepalese medical doctors are currently practicing in various health institutions in South Africa. Some other Nepalese nationals are also working in other sectors.
Major Agreements
As there were no direct high level interactions between the two countries until the establishment of Nepalese Embassy in South Africa, no agreements have been signed between Nepal and South Africa so far. However, the establishment of Nepalese Embassy has paved the way for such possibility.
Consular Matters/Visas
Any South African national willing to travel Nepal can obtain his/her visas from Embassy of Nepal, Pretoria. Similarly, Nepalese citizen can obtain his/her visas from South African High Commission, Colombo.
Nepalese Community
Nepalese diaspora in South Africa constitute about 200 Nepalese, most of them working as medical doctors and their family members and some working in restaurants, industries and other unorganized sectors. Few Nepalese students have come for pilot training and few others are engaged in business. NRN-South Africa was established in 2009.
January 10, 2012
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Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs
Narayan Kaji Shrestha 'Prakash'
Foreign Secretary
Durga Prasad Bhattarai
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Code of Conduct 2011
Kutnitik Aachaar Sanhita, 2068 Diplomatic List 2011