SA and Zambia enhance bilateral cooperation

South Africa and Zambia signed
two agreements and four
Memoranda of Understanding
(MoUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral
co-operation between the two countries
when President Jacob Zuma visited late
last year.
The agreements covered co-operation
in the fields of energy, mining and
geology while the MoUs covered trade
and industry, health, agriculture and
diplomatic consultations, according to
BuaNews.
Zuma and Zambian President, Rupiah
Bwezani Banda, reviewed a wide range
of bilateral, regional and international
issues.
The two presidents affirmed the
need to enhance people-to-people cooperation
through cultural exchange
programmes.
On regional issues the two leaders
exchanged views on the prevailing
political, economic and security
situations in the region. “In this regard,
the two heads of state committed
themselves to working together
in pursuit of the Southern Africa
Development Community (SADC)
Agenda,” according to a communique.
With regard to climate change,
they emphasised the need for the
international community to work
together with a view to establishing a
legally binding framework to reduce
carbon emissions.
Zuma, who was accompanied by
several Cabinet ministers and a business
delegation representing 60 companies,
urged business people to exploit
opportunities available between South
Africa and Zambia.
He said his state visit should be
used as a building block for creating
opportunities to strengthen business
to business links between the two
countries. He also requested that
Zambia partner with South Africa
for a future of growth, stability and
prosperity.
Zuma was awarded the highest
national honour, the Eagle of Zambia
during his visit, in addition to an
Honorary Doctorate by the University
of Zambia for his contribution to the
struggle for freedom.
The President opened the R1.7 billion
sugar plantation project sponsored by
South Africa’s Illovo in Mazabuka,
outside Lusaka.
Speaking at that event, Zuma said
Zambia was a model country for
investment.
“There is no doubt that the company’s
expansion has had a positive impact on
the economic development of Zambia
through foreign exchange earnings and
provision of sustainable employment.”