President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for a State Visit.
The State Visit is intended to enhance relations between South Africa and the UAE in various areas, especially political and economic relations, defence, health cooperation as well as legal matters.
The UAE is South Africa’s 18th largest export market, a prominent investor in South Africa and home to a sizeable South African expatriate community including health professionals.
South African companies have made a major contribution to the development of the UAE economy and in excess of two hundred of them have representative offices in the UAE. The potential for greater interaction between the two countries is enhanced through the 56 weekly flights between South Africa and the UAE.
“During this visit we expect that greater investment opportunities for both countries can be identified. We are pleased that institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority are committed to investing in South Africa. Our Ministers have been directed to work out roadmaps for enhancing trade relations between the two nations during this visit,’’ said President Zuma.
South Africa and the UAE have signed five bilateral agreements, which provide the framework for co-operation.
There are ten draft agreements, which are currently being negotiated. These are in the areas of defence, taxation, industrial development, promotion of investments, legal matters, social development, transport and a joint commission on bilateral issues.
