President Jacob Zuma will pay an official visit to Russia from 4-6 August 2010 as part of his stepped-up trade offensive aimed at members of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China).

South Africa considers the Russian Federation as an important strategic partner in the promotion of development, socio-economic and political progress, as well as stability in the globalising world.

"Given the similarities of development challenges in South Africa and Russia, especially poverty and inequality, quality of education and health, challenges of HIV and AIDS, it is expected that the two Presidents may reinforce the importance of a development partnership for MDG promotion between the two countries."

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, who will also be part of the delegation to Russia, hopes to tackle issues such as direct air links, visa processes and the marketing of South Africa as a tourist destination. In a recent statement, van Schalkwyk said Russia is one of the fastest growing outbound tourist markets in the world. In 2009, South Africa saw 10,214 arrivals from Russia.

On the economic front, Russia is South Africa's 44th export destination, 31st source of imports and total trade amounted to R5.1 billion.

Zuma has already visited two other BRIC nations, Brazil and India and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also visited South Africa in July.

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