President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he is expected to co-chair the third session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe BNC with his counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The visit is part of efforts to strengthen mutual cooperation and deepen the implementation of 45 bilateral agreements during the Bi-National Commission (BNC).
The BNC is preceded by a ministerial session, which was held on Monday, to consider and adopt the draft agreed minutes and joint communique negotiated by senior officials on 7 and 8 March 2019.
Ministers also coordinated the agenda and programme for the Heads of State session.
Relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe are conducted through the BNC, which was established in 2015.
During the BNC, the two Heads of State will review bilateral cooperation and progress made with the implementation of bilateral agreements.
“South Africa and Zimbabwe are signatories to 45 agreements, which cover a wide range of fields, including trade and investment, health, labour, migration, defence, taxation, tourism, scientific and technological cooperation, water and the environment,” said the Presidency.
In terms of trade, South African exports to Zimbabwe totalled R30.8 billion, while imports from Zimbabwe amounted to R3.6 billion.
“South Africa and Zimbabwe enjoy sound bilateral political, economic and social relations underpinned by strong historical ties dating back from the years of the liberation struggle,” the President said.
Deputy President David Mabuza will act as President of the Republic during the President’s absence.
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu; Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Finance, Tito Mboweni; Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; Home Affairs, Dr Siyabonga Cwele; Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande; Police, Bheki Cele and Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. – SAnews.gov.za
