/ 18 April 2007

SA, Singapore talks to focus on trade

President Thabo Mbeki will host talks with his Singaporean counterpart, President Sellapan Ramanathan, in Pretoria on Thursday.

Ramanathan, who is the first Singaporean president to visit South Africa, arrived in the country on Wednesday.

High on their agenda are trade and economic relations between the two countries and their respective regions, said the Foreign Affairs Department in a statement.

In 2006 South Africa exported goods worth R3,2-million to Singapore and imported R7,1-million, leaving a trade imbalance, said the department.

New investment opportunities, including in the tourism sector, are to be discussed.

”The visit by President Ramanathan to South Africa marks a clear resurgence of interest in our bilateral relations,” said the department.

Ramanathan will also launch the R5,8-billion chlorine refinery and desalination plant at Coega.

He was expected to meet with the Singaporean business community in South Africa and visit several historical sites. — Sapa