Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is set to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Leadership from Limkokwing University and to accept a Lifetime Award for Global Peace, on behalf of former President Nelson Mandela, from the Mahathir Global Peace Foundation in Malaysia.
The South African President, who will travel to Malaysia today, will also meet Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak on Monday during his official visit to that country.
This year, South Africa and Malaysia celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. During his visit, Zuma and his delegation will have the opportunity to engage with the Malaysian government on specific areas of interest between the two countries.
These areas include cooperation in training, education and skills transfer between the public entities of both countries; cooperation in the field of oil and gas, especially downstream industries; and science and technology.
The two sides will also have an opportunity to review bilateral relations and exchange views on critical regional and global issues.
“South Africa and Malaysia share similar views on the importance of South–South cooperation, development of infrastructure in Africa and the reforms of global institutions of governance,” said President Zuma’s office in a statement.
Malaysia is an important economic partner in Southeast Asia and remains the largest investor in South Africa from the region, with focused investments in petrochemicals, telecommunications, real estate and hospitality. South Africa is the largest investor in Malaysia from Africa, with investments in petro-chemicals, insurance, food and beverages industries.
Zuma will be accompanied on the visit by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane; Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba; Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, and Engergy, Ben Martins.
The delegation will also comprise leading South African businesspeople, who will attend the South Africa-Malaysia Business Forum, with a view to promote the further expansion of trade and investment between South Africa and Malaysia.
Total trade between South Africa and Malaysia has grown steadily from approximately R13.8 billion in 2008 to R19.7 billion in 2012. Total exports increased from R5.2 billion to R8.8 billion, and imports from R8.5 billion to R10.9 billion in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
By the end of 2012, Malaysia ranked as South Africa’s 23th largest export partner and 20th largest import partner in the world. On the Asian continent, Malaysia has become South Africa’s eighth largest export and import partner and South Africa remains Malaysia’s most important trade partner in Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
