/ 29 March 2003

Closer economic ties for SA, Mozambique

Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin has expressed his satisfaction with progress made at the bilateral economic forum meeting between South Africa and Mozambique in Cape Town on Friday.

The forum is chaired by President Thabo Mbeki and his Mozambican counterpart Joachim Chissano.

Others attending Friday’s meeting included Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Mozambican Finance and Planning Minister Luisa Diogo.

Speaking after the meeting, Erwin said it had been ”one of the best ever” of the quarterly economic forum meetings between the two countries.

Discussions had focused on, among other things, the transfrontier parks, promoting trade and investment, mining, energy issues, transport and labour matters, Erwin said.

The forum was created in 1997, and has resulted in the successful implementation of a number of strategic projects between the two countries.

South Africa and Mozambique have entered into more than 25 agreements, covering various spheres of cooperation, including fisheries, the Maputo harbour, agricultural development, natural gas trade, the removal of landmines, the Maputo Development Corridor, a joint water commission, and the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments and customs administration. ‒ Sapa