Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma lauded the success of a meeting between government and business leaders in Cape Town on Tuesday.
He said it had been important to touch base with CEOs and hear their views, in light of current economic conditions, and ahead of the State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
"All of us should have a common understanding. We thought it important at this time to keep communication close," he told journalists after the meeting at the Cape Sun hotel.
The meeting involved the Presidential Investor Luncheon and World Economic Forum review.
Delegates were treated to presentations by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.
Zuma said attendance was had been beyond their expectations and that they had to add more chairs.
Discussions were "very cordial" and included plans on how to grow the economy and decrease unemployment.
It was agreed that representatives of both sides would meet, draw up a report, and give feedback at a future meeting. This structure would then be dissolved.
Zuma said labour would not be excluded from these discussions and considerations.
"We believe, therefore, that the meeting was very successful and we are very happy. We need to be meeting all the time."