Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has concluded a "successful" state visit to the Gulf region, his office said on Thursday.
Zuma, who was accompanied by several Cabinet ministers and a business delegation, visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sultanate of Oman this week.
The visits were intended to enhance relations between South Africa and the UAE in various areas, especially political and economic ones, defence, health cooperation as well as on legal matters.
According to the Presidency, Zuma "expressed satisfaction that South Africa now maintains strong political relations with the two countries, and hoped that the recent visit would result in even stronger and closer economic relations".
The visits saw the signing of several agreements such as the Defence Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations as well as the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission, which were signed in the UAE.
In Oman, the Supplementary Protocol Amending the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income was signed, while it has been indicated that more agreements focusing on taxes, trade relations and visas were being still under negotiation.
The visit is set to open further high-level exchanges between the two countries, especially with Zuma's plea to the business forum to translate the close political ties and friendship into mutual economic benefit.
"Let us work together to grow our two economies, use our vast natural resources and create the much needed job opportunities and a better life for all our peoples," Zuma told the business forum in Oman on Wednesday.
Politically, South Africa shares common views with both countries, particularly regarding recent developments in North Africa and the Middle East.
Significantly, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman both continue to play strategic political and economic roles in the Gulf region, both also having notable influence in the world affairs.
