Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to expand trade links with the rest of the world.
Addressing the diplomatic community on Wednesday at the presentation of credentials by Heads of Mission accredited to South Africa, President Zuma said with the country’s fifth general election successfully done and dusted, it was important to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries.
“It is pivotal … to consolidate our bilateral relations and trade with Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and strengthen potential areas such as mining, renewable energy and construction, to name a few…
“In the same manner, we are looking forward to broadening, deepening and strengthening relations with South East Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which have been our strong allies during the struggle days and remain invaluable bilateral partners in our democratic dispensation,” said the President.
The occasion was held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. The President received letters of credence from heads of mission-designate from five countries, including Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia and Swaziland.
The ambassadors will represent their countries in South Africa for a period of five years.
President Zuma said South Africa was looking forward to meaningful partnerships with Serbia and hoped for breakthroughs in trade, particularly in potential areas such as energy, transport, arts and culture.
“Today, we commit to work with all of your respective countries to take our relations to a higher level for more meaningful partnerships and mutual benefit.
“I assure you of the greatest hospitality and humility of the people of South Africa and the warmth that the land of Nelson Mandela has shared with humanity in the past 20 years,” he said.
President Zuma used the occasion to reiterate the country’s call for a transformed United Nations.
“We will continue working closely with the UN and other relevant institutions to promote good governance and encourage transformation with such global institutions as the UN,” he said.
With regard to the African Union, President Zuma said the strengthening of the AU and its structures was imperative in deepening the continental integration process and advancing infrastructure development, which lays the foundation for intra-Africa trade.
“South Africa has consistently sought to nurture regional integration at three levels -- SADC, the Southern African Customs Union and the Tripartite Free Trade Area.
“Our country will continue working even harder to realise the developmental goals of the continent through these important continental structures,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
