President Jacob Zuma to receive Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza on a one day working visit to South Africa

The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma will host, his counterpart, His Excellency Armando Emilio Guebuza, the President of the Republic of Mozambique who will undertake a one day Working Visit to South Africa on 29 October 2010.

President Guebuza will be coming to South Africa for a Working Visit to attend the Heads of State Economic Bilateral Forum (HOSEB) following the one held in Mozambique in April 2008. HOSEB focuses on strategic projects between the two countries with the aim of enhancing economic bilateral cooperation. The Forum has played a vital role in encouraging cross border investments between the two countries. In this regard, the birth to strategic mega projects such as Mozal I and II and the SASOL Temane Natural Gas Project gives testimony to this ever growing economic cooperation.

During the discussions, the Presidents will delve much on how cooperation, especially in the areas of agriculture, health, tourism; trade and investment, water and environment, energy amongst others, will be further strengthened.

South Africa is Mozambique’s largest trading partner with total exports by South Africa to Mozambique in 2009 for example valued at over R13 billion, making Mozambique one of South Africa’s top trading partners on the continent. In the same year, 2009, South Africa imported goods from Mozambique to the value of over R3 billion.

Trade between the two countries involves traditional exports to South Africa: mostly nickel ores, unwrought nickel and cotton among others. South African exports, in turn, consist of manufactured goods, petroleum, motor vehicles and a variety of consumer goods to meet the fast growing demands of an increasing urban population and a booming manufacturing sector.

South Africa is the largest investor in Mozambique. Major South African companies investing in Mozambique include: Sasol, Hollard, Standard Bank, ABSA, First National Bank, Arcelor-Mittal, Capital Star Steel, Vodacom, Grindrod, WBHO, Nestle SA, Barloworld, Southern Sun (Holiday Inn), SAB, Netcare, Avstar Golding, Trans Africa Concession (TRAC), Petroline Holdings, National Brands Limited, Tongaat-Hullet, Illovo, etc. South African State Owned Enterprises such as Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Eskom, Transnet, etc are actively involved in many projects in Mozambique and these act as catalysts for investments.

President Zuma will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Energy, Ms Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan,  Minister of Transport, Mr S Ndebele, Minister of Public Works, Mr Geoffrey Quinton Michael Doidge, Minister of Public Enterprise, Ms Barbara Hogan and Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Buyelwa Patience Sonjica.

It is anticipated that His Excellency, President Guebuza will be accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers.

For further information, please contact DIRCO’s Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on 082 940 1647/ molobis@dirco.gov.za  or Chief Director of Communications in the Presidency, Ms Zanele Mngadi, at 082 330 1148.

Issued by the Department of international Relations and Cooperation

OR Tambo Building
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Pretoria, RSA
0002

27 OCTOBER 2010