South Africans in UAE to celebrate Freedom Day

Ambassador Yacoob Abba Omar said Freedom Day celebrations in the UAE will continue over the coming weeks with official receptions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“For South Africans around the world, Freedom Day, held annually on April 27 to celebrate the democratic elections of 1994, symbolises the rebirth of the rainbow nation peacefully united following a difficult road to democracy,” he said.

Omar said that the UAE-South Africa relations have a farsighted approach that spans the next eighteen years and includes opportunities to build on the existing synergies between the two countries.

Similar to Abu Dhabi’s strategic framework, South Africa’s Vision 2030 states the creation of large-scale, sustainable jobs in key sectors through a collaborative approach.

“With a view of spurring trade, innovation and economic growth of up to seven per cent per year, South Africa remains at the forefront of fast-growing emerging economies and an attractive investment destination, just as the UAE continues to cement its position as the central business hub of the Middle East,” the ambassador said.

He also said that the UAE is the 24^th largest investor in South Africa and its largest trade partner in the GCC region. “Recent ministerial agreements between the two governments indicate that the relationship in some key areas across security, energy and healthcare sectors between the two countries are set to grow over the coming years.”

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