Belgian King makes state visit to South Africa

In an effort to enhance the longstanding partnership between Belgium and South Africa, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium embarked on their first official state visit to South Africa. The visit aimed to strengthen ties at the political, economic, and cultural levels between the two nations. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss the outcomes of the visit and current trade relations was Nicolas Fierens Gevaert, the spokesperson for the ministry of foreign affairs. During the interview, Gevaert highlighted the significance of the state visit, emphasizing the common values shared by Belgium and South Africa, such as multilateralism, peace, security, and the commitment to sustainable energy solutions. He stressed that South Africa is a crucial partner for Belgium and underscored the importance of consolidating this partnership. Gevaert also spoke about the diverse delegation that accompanied the royal visit, comprising representatives from the business, academic, and cultural sectors. One of the key aspects of the state visit was the focus on enhancing cooperation in several sectors, including energy sustainability, agri-food, vaccine production, and social entrepreneurship. Gevaert cited the Battery Testbed project, a collaboration between Belgium and South Africa aimed at testing new battery technologies for electricity storage, as an example of successful cooperation in the energy sector. He also mentioned the visit to Afrigen in Cape Town, a hub supported by Belgium and the European Union, focused on mRNA vaccine production. The state visit included the South Africa-Belgium Business Forum, where business leaders from both countries explored potential partnerships. Gevaert noted that there was a strong interest from both Belgian and South African companies in collaborating and furthering trade relations. The forum provided a platform for executives to network and exchange ideas, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector. Looking ahead, Gevaert expressed optimism about the future of Belgium-South Africa relations, emphasizing the commitment of both nations to exploring new avenues of cooperation. The state visit was seen as a success, with a clear consensus on the need to deepen ties and foster mutual growth and development. The visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde not only highlighted the historical connection between Belgium and South Africa but also set the stage for a new chapter of collaboration and partnership. As the delegation prepares to conclude its visit and head to Cape Town for further engagements, the prospects for enhanced trade relations and shared initiatives between the two nations look promising.