Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will on Thursday host his Săo Tomé and Príncipe counterpart, Manuel Pinto Da Costa, who will be in the country for a two-day state visit aimed at revitalising diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The two presidents will discuss and concretise cooperation in the key priority areas such as energy, water and health, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Clayson Moneyla, said.
Pretoria will also discuss the promotion of economic relations, with a special emphasis on trade and investment with the leading cocoa producer.
Săo Tomé and Príncipe is one of the smallest countries on the continent, which consists of two islands of volcanic origin and a number of smaller islets.
The country is trying to shake off its dependence on the cocoa crop. Falls in production and prices left the island state heavily reliant on foreign aid.
The Săo Tomé and Príncipe government has been encouraging economic diversification and is set to exploit the billions of barrels of oil which are thought to lie off the country's coast. Drilling is said to be underway and commercial production is expected to begin within a few years.
Pretoria says Săo Tomé and Príncipe has on several occasions requested South Africa to assist in its quest for the development of its economy and the welfare of its people.
“To this end, the South African Departments of Health and Water Affairs are currently working with their counterpart ministries in Săo Tomé and Príncipe to help improve the quality of health and potable water of the islands nation,” said Monyela. – SAnews.gov.za
