Angolan PM visits South Africa
Richard Mantu
15 February 2005
Deputy President Jacob Zuma will host Angolan Prime Minister Fernando Dos Santos in a series of high-level meetings in Cape Town from Tuesday until Friday.
Dos Santos' visit follows Zuma's visit to Angola in August last year.
Dos Santos will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes the country's ministers of defence, transport, energy and water, social assistance and reintegration, and deputy ministers of external relations, geology and mines and petroleum.
South Africa's Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa, Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya, and Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will accompany Zuma to the meetings.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said the two delegations would discuss expanding political and economic relations between the countries, reconstruction programmes in Angola, and trade and
investment issues.
Other issues on the agenda include regional and continental peacekeeping efforts, regional elections, and conflict prevention, management and resolution.
Zuma and Dos Santos are expected to sign agreements on investment protection and promotion, petroleum, electricity, defence co-operation, and social re-integration.
"While in South Africa, Prime Minister Dos Santos will pay a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki, and hold discussions with Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu", Mamoepa said
He will also have an opportunity to interact with South African captains of industry, Mamoepa added.
Angola has an immense natural resource base in the form of oil, gas, diamonds and other minerals.
The country, that has endured more than its fair share of civil wars, has the potential for significant exports of coffee and other agricultural products, as
well as fertile highlands with a favourable climate and plenty of water.
Various SA companies and agencies, including Eskom, the Gauteng Economic Development Agency, Protea Hotels and Absa Bank, have visited Angola recently to explore the possibilities of investing there.
Source: BuaNews
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