JOHANNESBURG – President Jacob Zuma on Monday lauded economic and political relations between South Africa and Saudi Arabia following his two day official state visit to the Middle East country over the weekend.

In a statement issued by the Presidency on Monday, Zuma said bilateral relations between the two countries were cemented successfully, particularly in the areas of trade and investment.

Zuma was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Minister of State Security David Mahlobo, Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko, and the Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba.

The Presidency said relations would also expand bilateral trade in support of business in targeted sectors, including the South African agricultural and agro-processed goods and services, defence procurement, manufacturing, mineral beneficiation as well as South Africa’s participation in the Saudi National Transformation Plan, especially in infrastructure development, including construction and engineering.

“We are very pleased that this State Visit will ensure, among other things, continued Saudi private sector investment in our country’s renewable energy sector in support of the National Development Plan; the South African petrochemical sector; banking and finance; tourism infrastructure as well as Saudi participation as a maritime state in our Operation Phakisa,” Zuma said.

Zuma addressed a high level meeting of South Africa – Saudi Arabia Business entities on Sunday where he emphasised the importance of creating a platform to enhance business-to-business cooperation in order to increase South African exports to the Saudi market and attract Saudi investors to South Africa.

Zuma said: “Opportunities for mutual partnerships between our two countries are almost limitless.”

South Africa and Saudi Arabia agreed to work to ensure closer bilateral intelligence cooperation, in particular in relation to the regional terrorism threat to domestic and regional security and stability.

The two countries would also promote the stabilisation efforts of South Africa’s Middle East Peace Process Special Envoys in support of international efforts to find a lasting solution to the Palestine – Israeli conflict.

The two countries also agreed to seek support for South Africa’s application of Observer Membership of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.