President Jacob G. Zuma to receive Zambian President Rupiah Banda on a State Visit to the Republic of South Africa

The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob G. Zuma will receive His Excellency Mr Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, on a state visit to South Africa scheduled for 2 to 3 December 2010.

President Banda’s visit takes place within the context of consolidating the African Agenda through the enhancing and deepening of the political, economic and social relations between South Africa and Zambia.

This visit is aimed at strengthening the already existing cordial relations between the two countries which were further enhanced by President Zuma’s State Visit to Zambia in December 2009.

The two Presidents will discuss amongst others:

• Cooperation in the key bilateral priority areas such as economic cooperation, energy, mining, agriculture, health and environment;
  
  
• Mutual cooperation at regional level, especially within SADC, as both countries are members of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security; and
  
  
• Discussions on broad issues affecting the continent within the context of the AU, as well as enhanced cooperation in dealing with multilateral issues such as the reform of the global institutions of governance in particular the United Nations Security Council.

Though South Africa is the largest exporter to Zambia, the trade balance shows a steady decline of South Africa’s exports, which were valued at R11.2 billion and R7 billion in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The same decline applies to imports, as the statistics show R1.6 billion in 2009 and 1.4 billion in 2010. This notwithstanding, Zambia remains one of South Africa’s top ten (10) trading partners on the Continent.

South African exports to Zambia consist mostly of machinery and mechanical appliances, fertilisers, petroleum oils, motor vehicles, edible fruits and cereals.

Imports, on the other hand, include mainly copper and other base metals, copper concentrates, other ores, sugar, tobacco, coffee and cotton.

It is expected that during his visit, His Excellency President Banda will lay wreaths on the tombstones of the late ANC President OR Tambo and his wife, Mrs Adelaide Tambo.

The two Heads of State will address a Business Forum which is organised to promote trade and investment between the two countries.

President Banda will be accompanied by several Ministers and a business delegation that would participate in a Business Forum to explore investment and trade opportunities between the two countries.

President Zuma will be supported by the Ministers of International Relations & Cooperation; Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries; Energy; Finance; Health; Mineral Resources; Water & Environmental Affairs; as well as Trade & Industry.

For more information please contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 1647 or molobisk@dirco.gov.za

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

30 November 2010