PRETORIA, President Jacob Zuma will host newly installed Angolan President JoAPound o Manuel Goncalves Lourenco who arrives here Thursday for a two-day State visit to South Africa, says the Presidency.
President Lourenco, who was inaugurated on Sept 26, will be accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials, as well as a business delegation whose members will participate in a business forum to discuss investment and trade opportunities between the two countries.
The two countries enjoy historical and political relations dating back to the period of the struggles against colonialism and apartheid. The Presidency on Monday said the two Presidents will review bilateral, regional and continental issues of common concern.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are characterised by strong cooperation in various areas including trade and investment, energy, defence and security, immigration, infrastructure development, arts and culture, mining, tourism,” said a statement from the Presidency.
Concerning economic co-operation, a number of South African companies are involved in Angola in a variety of sectors, including construction, mining, housing, retail, food and beverages, hotels and leisure, banking and medical services (rescue).
Currently, Angola is one of South Africa’s major trading partners on the continent.
In 2016, South African exports to Angola stood at 8.2 billion Rand (about 584 million US dollars) while imports from Angola amounted to 18 billion Rand, largely consisting of crude oil.
President Zuma will be accompanied in meetings with the Angol;an delegation by International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Energy Minister David Mahlobo, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, Home Affairs (Interior) Minister Ayanda Dlodlo, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK