South Africa builds Brazil ties
12 October 2009
President Jacob Zuma arrived back in South Africa on Saturday after a two-day state visit to Brazil.
Zuma's busy visit on Thursday and Friday was aimed at consolidating the co-operation that has evolved between the two countries over the past 10 years, the Presidency said in a statement on the weekend.
Zuma met with Brazilian President Lula Da Silva and governor Jose Serra, and addressed a business forum as well as a meeting of African ambassadors in that country.
The business forum sought to facilitate interaction between businesses in South Africa and Brazil. "Zuma reiterated the need to concretise business ventures between the two countries," the Presidency said.
South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry and Brazil's ministry of development, industry and foreign trade signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the promotion of trade and investment.
"The MOU will see the development of an implementation plan that will focus on how trade and investment initiatives will be structured to benefit both countries," the Presidency said.
Zuma also visited Brazil's Supreme Court and met with Chief Justice Glimar Ferreira Mendes. The two highlighted the need to continue building democratic institutions in both countries.
Zuma also managed to take time out of his busy schedule to meet local football bodies to discuss the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Sapa
