Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is in Berlin for an official visit at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The President arrived in Berlin on Monday evening and is expected to meet Merkel later on Tuesday.
“During their official talks, President Zuma and Chancellor Merkel will review a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues,” said the Presidency.
While in Germany, President Zuma will also pay a courtesy call on Federal President Joachim Gauck and address South African and German business leaders in Berlin.
He will also provide the closing statement at a symposium on youth skills development and employment.
South Africa and Germany have a strategic relationship, with regular structured dialogue and cooperation covering a broad range of areas including political dialogue, trade and investment, science and technology, the environment, development cooperation, energy, defence, labour and social affairs, vocational education and training, as well as arts and culture.
South Africa and Germany also have strong, long-standing and growing trade and investment relations.
In 2014, Germany ranked as South Africa’s second largest global trading partner, fourth largest global export market for South African goods and as the second largest importer into South Africa.
South Africa also remains in the top 30 of Germany’s global trading partners.
“There are over 600 German companies invested in South Africa, providing over 100 000 employment opportunities mainly in the automotive industry, the chemical industry, as well as in the mechanical and electrical engineering sectors,” said the Presidency. - SAnews.gov.za
