Zuma heads to Mozambique
2011-12-12 19:10
Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma is expected to travel to Mozambique on Tuesday following an invitation by his counterpart, President Armando Guebuza, the presidency said in a statement on Monday.
The visit is aimed at deepening existing bilateral political, economic and social relations between the two countries, spokesperson Mac Maharaj said.
Zuma would have consultations with Guebuza on bilateral co-operation in trade and investment, energy, mining, agriculture, communications, water, environmental affairs, arts and culture, as well as science and technology.
Maharaj said the two presidents would exchange views on mutual co-operation at regional level, especially within the Southern African Development Community, and discuss issues affecting the continent within the context of the African Union.
During his visit, Zuma was expected to lay a wreath at Heroes Acre, as well as at the Matola Raid Memorial and Interpretative Centre.
This would be followed by his address to a joint sitting of the Parliament of Mozambique and the Mozambique-South Africa Business Forum.
Several bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding would be signed during the visit.
Mozambique was one of South Africa's top five trading partners on the continent. Total exports from South Africa to Mozambique in 2010 were valued at R15.7bn. South Africa imported goods to the value of R3.7bn during the same period.
Zuma would be accompanied by several of his ministers.
- SAPA