Brasilia: President Zuma arrived back in South Africa today Saturday, 10 October 2009, having concluded his two-day state visit to Brazil where he attended a Business Forum in Sao Paulo and met with Brazilian President Lula Da Silva in Brasilia.
President Jacob Zuma met with Sao Paulo Governor, Jose Serra. He addressed a Business Forum organised to facilitate interaction between South African and Brazilian business. The forum was attended by a 50 strong delegation of business representatives from South Africa. He was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Sport and Recreation Minister Makhenkesi Stofile, and Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.
President Zuma used the occasion of the Business Forum to reiterate the need to concretise business ventures between the two countries. The meeting also received a report back by Business Unity South Africa on progress made since the establishment of the Joint Binational Commission.
On the second day of the visit President Zuma met with President Lula Da Silva at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia. The Presidents agreed that South Africa would host the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission set up by the two countries, which was long overdue.
The Presidents witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade and the South African Department of Trade and Industry for the promotion of trade and investment.
The MoU will see the development of an implementation plan that will focus on how trade and investment initiatives will structure to benefit both countries. An agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding on sports cooperation for the years 2009/11 were also signed.
President Zuma proceeded with a visit to the Brazilian Senate and met with Senate President Jose Sarney. He also visited the Brazilian Supreme Court and met with Chief Justice Glimar Ferreira Mendes. President Zuma highlighted the need to continue to build democratic institutions in both countries.
President Zuma concluded his programme by addressing a meeting of African Ambassadors in Brazil. In his address to the diplomats President Zuma focused on the importance of streamlining interventions by all African countries on various areas, like diplomatic engagement, economic development, and Africa's efforts to impact on the agenda of international institutions.
President Zuma extended an invitation to President Lula Da Silva to undertake a State Visit to South Africa immediately before or after the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
For comments and sound bites contact:
Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 072 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
10 October 2009
