French President Nicholas Sarkozy, hosted by President Thabo Mbeki, graced the shores of South Africa to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations. French energy giant Areva signed key nuclear skills development agreements with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation(Necsa). The agreements were signed by Areva chief executive Anne Lauvergeon and Necsa CEO Dr Rob Adam. The agreements will see Areva extend and increase its engineering and nuclear skills development programmes in the country.
- Sarkozy announced a package investment for sub-Saharan Africa of more than R 100bn over the next five years.
- Eskom will acquire turbines for new generators and a deal worth 1,36bn Euros that will see French engineers help SA to solve its energy crisis.
- French firm, Alstom signed the deal of 1.36bn on 29 February 2008 with Eskom to supply six turbine islands for the new Bravo power station.
- Sarkozy stated to support economic growth will invest a R2,5bn investment fund which will develop and encourage African companies. The second was a 2,5bn guarantee fund to provide bank credit and capital to African small and medium enterprises.
- The French Development Agency commitment to support the private sector would double to R20bn over the next five years.
In the news
Room for growth(2008/03/14)
2008_03_14_149874.pdf 95kb
French firms eye South African prospects in energy, transport and tourism (2008/03/13)
2008_03_14_1490485.pdf 404kb
French sign up energy eals in SA (2008/03/01)
2008_03_01.pdf 102kb
Sarkozy in a bid for power
2008_03_03.pdf 71kb
French on provisional pole
2008_03_06.pdf 636kb
Related Links