Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has concluded his two-day state visit to Mozambique, which saw the signing of several agreements.
The neighbouring countries signed several agreements of cooperation and MoUs, including a MoU on communications and an agreement on maritime security co-operation, along with Tanzania. Other agreements on forestry-based industries, arts and culture co-operation and the co-ordination of frequency bands were also signed.
President Zuma, who held official talks with his counterpart President Armando Guebuza, reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
On the bilateral relations, the two Presidents noted the progress that has been made in terms of the advancement of political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries.
They also agreed that relations between the two countries must be upgraded to a Bi-National Commission (BNC).
With respect to economic cooperation, the two leaders noted the increase in the trade volumes and investments between the two countries.
"In this regard, the two Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to facilitate interactions of business communities of the respective countries, with a view to exploiting the available opportunities for closer cooperation in key areas such as energy, mineral resources, tourism, transport and communications, science and technology and trade and industry," International Relations said in a statement at the end of the talks.
On the sidelines of the state visit, a business forum was organised between the South African and Mozambican business communities, which was addressed by the both Zuma and Guebuza.
In his address to the forum, Zuma promoted intra-Africa trade and investment, saying it must be a matter urgency.
"The continent is rich in natural resources but above all, it has the resourcefulness of its people. The focus, therefore, must be on creating conditions that will release the creativity and productivity of the African people," Zuma said.
During the visit, Zuma also received one of the highest honours accorded to a foreign head of state, the Freedom of the City of Maputo.
In his acceptance speech, the President said the award represented the friendship and togetherness that the two countries shared.
Mozambique has always shared strong relations with South Africa as it was a base for hundreds of ANC members during the struggle against apartheid.
Zuma also laid a wreath at the Heroes' Acre in honour of those Mozambicans who laid down their lives for freedom and visited the construction site of the Matola Raid Monument and Interpretive Centre, which is being constructed in honour of the South African freedom fighters who died at the hands of the former apartheid forces.
