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Johannesburg - About 200 business people will accompany President Jacob Zuma on his first state visit to Britain, where he will stay at Buckingham Palace at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Each year the Queen extends only two invitations for state visits, which are traditionally accompanied with great fanfare. Zuma's visit next week, escorted by 12 ministers, is the Queen's third invitation to a South African president since the end of apartheid.
The purpose of Zuma's state visit - his fourth since his inauguration in May last year and his first to Europe - is to strengthen economic and political ties with Britain, the biggest foreign investor in South Africa and one of our top trading partners.
In an interview with the Financial Times on Thursday Zuma said he wanted to exert pressure on Britain to lift the European Union's travel and financial sanctions against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and some of his Zanu-PF heavyweights.
He will also discuss the role that the Commonwealth, headed by Queen Elizabeth II, can play in reforming international bodies.
South Africa is an outspoken protagonist of change for bodies like the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund, obliging them to take a greater interest in the needs of developing countries.
In its turn Britain will seek confirmation that South Africa still regards it as an important partner, despite increasing focus on and trade with emerging countries - China in particular.
Catherine Grant, director of trade policy at Business Unity South Africa, says although a large portion of the visit will have to do with strengthening existing relations, the business representatives will also look for new areas for cooperation and coordination.
The business delegates represent a wide variety of industries, but will focus more on investment than on trade, said Grant.
Energy will be one of the major focus areas and the delegates will visit green projects.
Discussions on further co-operation and investments in health services - where South African companies like Netcare already enjoy considerable success in the British market - will also have priority. The issue of health delegations will also be discussed.
This is always an important subject because of the perception that South Africa is exporting its health skills to Britain, said Grant. Pharmaceutical groups will also look at ways to work with the rest of Africa, she added.
The business visitors are also expected to have wide-ranging discussions on Zimbabwe, which is regarded as a significant business opportunity.
Uncertainty about our northern neighbour's new legislation that requires 51% ownership by Zimbabweans, as well as future co-operation between the private sector and the British Department for International Development (DFID) with projects in Zimbabwe, will receive attention.
The controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU are not expected to be a main item on the agenda. Formal negotiations with the EU will resume on March 15.
There are questions about the timing of Zuma's state visit, in view of the coming British election during the northern hemisphere spring, when the ruling Labour Party is expected to be sent to the opposition benches.
Zuma will certainly meet the leaders of the major opposition parties - David Cameron of the Conservative Party and Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats.
- Sake24.com
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