President Cyril Ramaphosa left South Africa on Friday for a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia during which he is expected to discuss a range of issues with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saudi.
According to the presidency, this will be Ramaphosa’s second trip to the kingdom following another visit in 2018.
The two countries enjoy a strategic partnership based on cordial and fraternal relations, and discussions during the visit “will focus on export market opportunities for South African produce,” the presidency said.
In addition, South Africa “as an investment destination as well as an entry point into Southern African markets and beyond – within the context of the newly set up African Continental Free Trade Area,” will top the agenda, it said.
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Saudi Arabia were formalised in 1994 and three of Ramaphosa’s predecessors have so far previously visited the kingdom.
According to Pretoria, “it is envisioned that the various deliberations will provide renewed impetus to strengthened economic cooperation in identified priority sectors, notably agriculture, defence, energy, and transport, further underpinned by regular high-level engagements between the two countries.”
The 9th session of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Council held in the first week of October launched the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council, the presidency said.
The council brings together leading businesspeople from both countries to deepen economic ties as Saudi Arabia is the largest source of Pretoria’s imports from the Middle East region.
Total trade between South Africa and Saudi Arabia reached US$4.4 billion in 2021.
Ramaphosa was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor, and Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Thoko Didiza.
Other members of the delegation are Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
NM/jn/APA