Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma’s three-day State visit to Kenya starts today.
The visit is aimed at deepening economic, political, cultural and social relations with the East African powerhouse.
The first by a South African Head of State since the dawn of freedom and democracy, the visit will provide a platform for both countries to review progress on key areas of bilateral cooperation, the Presidency said on Monday.
South Africa shares strong ties with the leading economy in the East African region in various areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, political, cultural, tourism and infrastructure development.
“Kenya is an important partner for South Africa in the advancement of inter- and intra-African trade and investment. South Africa is Kenya’s fourth source of imports, with South African exports amounting to R8.3 billion and imports to R366 million in 2015,” the Presidency said.
Currently there are over 60 South African companies are operating in Kenya. This makes South Africa the sixth largest investor in Kenya after China, the United Kingdom, United States of America, India and Nigeria, and the largest trading partner on the continent outside the SADC region.
The Presidency said economic ties can be strengthened by optimising investment opportunities in the mutually identified areas of energy, infrastructure development, blue economy and retail.
During the State visit, President Zuma will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta to exchange views on regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern.
President Zuma will also address the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum on Tuesday. This will be used as a platform to further explore investment and trade opportunities between the two countries and to support the interaction between the public and private sectors of South Africa and Kenya.
The two countries are scheduled to sign agreements in the fields of defence, police, home affairs, environment, revenue services and infrastructure development under the Lamu-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET).
“The signing of these instruments is an indication of South Africa’s determination to enhance bilateral relations and serves as confirmation of its desire to forge a strategic partnership with Kenya,” the Presidency said.
President Zuma is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Public Enterprise Minister Lynne Brown, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. - SAnews.gov.za
