Zim, SA to talk business

Pretoria - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s two-day state visit to South Africa ends on Thursday with meetings between the countries’ business delegations.

The South-Africa Zimbabwe business forum was part of what International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had called an effort to consolidate bilateral ties and help Zimbabwe’s efforts to industrialise.

According to the presidency, Zimbabwe was among the top three of South Africa's trading partners on the continent. South Africa was one of the top investors in the Zimbabwean economy.

"This state visit will certainly advance relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe to a higher level of benefit to the people of both countries," Zuma told reporters in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Opportunities existed in mining, transport, infrastructure and information communications and technology, according to Zuma.

He said he discussed regional issues, peace and security, with Mugabe, who is the chairperson of both the African Union and Southern African Development Community.