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High-level delegation visit
Bavaria – Western Cape: Focus on Economic and Agricultural Policy

The visit of the Minister of Economic Affairs and Agriculture from the Western Cape/South Africa, Ivan Meyer, in Bavaria/Germany demonstrates that in times of geopolitical and trade tensions, partnerships between regions in Africa and Europe are particularly important. These partnerships can contribute to diversifying markets, facilitating investments and inclusive development, as well as shaping our future global order.

 

2 people: "Economic strength and growth remain prerequisites for social security,” emphasizes Dr. Widmann, while Minister Meyer points to the significance of tariff-free market access for South Africa into the EU.

"Economic strength and growth remain prerequisites for social security,” emphasizes Dr. Widmann, while Minister Meyer points to the significance of tariff-free market access for South Africa into the EU.

HSF

30-Year Partnership Between Bavaria and the Western Cape

At the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Minister meets with Secretary General Dr. Josef Widmann. This is the third delegation from the Western Cape at the Hanns Seidel Foundation within six months – a clear sign of the close connection. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Bavaria, the Western Cape, and the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The discussions highlight the commonalities between the two regions.

2 people: Minister Ivan Meyer and Deputy Speaker Tobias Reiß engaged in an intensive exchange, among other things, regarding the focal points and cooperation opportunities in security, tourism, and agricultural policy. “We support this common path of the free world and fair trade,” stated Vice President Tobias Reiss.

Minister Ivan Meyer and Deputy Speaker Tobias Reiß engaged in an intensive exchange, among other things, regarding the focal points and cooperation opportunities in security, tourism, and agricultural policy. “We support this common path of the free world and fair trade,” stated Vice President Tobias Reiss.

HSF

Commonalities and Vital Cooperations

Like Bavaria in Germany, the Western Cape serves as an important stability anchor and economic hub in South Africa. Both regions are considered strong supporters of municipal structures and innovative solutions for developing their provinces' economies.  “We need friends in this world who advocate for free trade and prosperity without tariffs,” emphasized Minister Dr. Ivan Meyer during his conversation with the Deputy Speaker of the Bavarian State Parliament, MdL Tobias Reiss. “We support this common path of the free world and fair trade,” stated the Deputy Speaker.

 

Meeting between friends: Bavarian State Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber meets Western Cape Minister Dr Ivan Meyer for a fruitful exchange on future cooperation initiatives. They discussed collaborations between agricultural schools in Bavaria and the Western Cape to be planned.

Meeting between friends: Bavarian State Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber meets Western Cape Minister Dr Ivan Meyer for a fruitful exchange on future cooperation initiatives. They discussed collaborations between agricultural schools in Bavaria and the Western Cape to be planned.

HSF

Agriculture and Tourism as Important Economic Sectors

Thus, the visit of the Minister and his delegation was focused on economic and agricultural policy. Just like Bavaria, the Western Cape is an important tourism and agricultural region, with over 7,000 agricultural businesses – 75% of all agricultural products from South Africa come from the Western Cape. During an intensive exchange with the Bavarian State Minister Michaela Kaniber, consensus on the prioritization in agricultural policy was also evident: “Food security is the top priority. We must feed people worldwide and further strengthen social acceptance for our farmers,” emphasizes the Bavarian State Minister in her conversation with her South African counterpart. At the same time, both ministers agreed on a cooperation between agricultural schools in Bavaria and the Western Cape.

Group:Ivan Meyer, Minister of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, and Volker Leinweber, Managing Director of the Bavarian Business Association, with Bavarian company representatives who actively invest, produce, or trade in the Western Cape.

Ivan Meyer, Minister of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, and Volker Leinweber, Managing Director of the Bavarian Business Association, with Bavarian company representatives who actively invest, produce, or trade in the Western Cape.

HSF

Focus on Aerospace, Medical and Agricultural Technology, and Manufacturing

It was also evident in discussions with company representatives at the House of Bavarian Economy that many Bavarian companies maintain trade relations with the Western Cape or produce locally. Companies from the fields of aerospace, mechanical engineering, health, and agricultural technology presented their business relationships between Bavaria and the Western Cape to the Minister and discussed possible expansions of their engagement. Over 600 German companies are present in South Africa, securing jobs in both Germany and South Africa.

 

People: At Brainlab in Munich, Minister Meyer learns about high-tech medical technology that is also used in the Western Cape. With MdB Dr. Wolfgang Stefinger, Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development, an exchange takes place at the globally successful Bavarian family business regarding the future of development cooperation and bilateral relations between South Africa, the Western Cape, and Germany.

At Brainlab in Munich, Minister Meyer learns about high-tech medical technology that is also used in the Western Cape. With MdB Dr. Wolfgang Stefinger, Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development, an exchange takes place at the globally successful Bavarian family business regarding the future of development cooperation and bilateral relations between South Africa, the Western Cape, and Germany.

HSF

Good Governance and Security as Preconditions for Economic Development

Minister Meyer also underlined the importance of functioning local government structures and security – “without safety, nothing works”. 

For many years, the Hanns Seidel Foundation has facilitated joint project work with the Western Cape Government aimed at strengthening good governance and local government structures. 

Both are central prerequisites for economic development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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