Pretoria- President Jacob Zuma will meet with Malawi's new President, Joyce Banda, today to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and common concern, paying particular attention to the economic challenges facing Malawi.
South Africa is currently the second largest provider of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Malawi.
"President Banda is paying her first official visit to South Africa following her inauguration as President," said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Thursday.
"President Zuma and his counterpart will exchange views on issues of mutual interest and common concern, paying particular attention to the economic challenges facing Malawi, such as the shortage of fuel and foreign exchange," it added.
South Africa and Malawi enjoy good political and economic relations. Structured bilateral relations are conducted within the framework of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JCC) which was signed in 2007.
"Both countries regard the JCC as a vital mechanism to strengthen political, economic and social relations and to create an environment for a more focussed and well coordinated engagement in the areas of trade, tourism, mining, sports, culture, technology, health and agriculture.
"In addition, there is a strong trade cooperation between the two sister countries. Malawi is one of South Africa's top ten trading partners on the Continent," it said.
Banda was inaugurated earlier this month following the death of her predecessor, President Bingu wa Mutharika, who was laid to rest on Monday, April 23 in Blantyre, Malawi.
