Zimbabwean president to pay first overseas visit to S. Africa

CAPE TOWN, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be in South Africa this week in his first overseas visit since being inaugurated last month, the South African Presidency said Wednesday.

Mnangagwa will pay a courtesy call to his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma in Pretoria on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.

The two leaders will share perspectives on important issues, such as regional, continental and international developments, said Ngqulunga.

According to the Zimbabwe's embassy in South Africa, Mnangagwa is expected to use his visit to attract investments from neighboring South Africa.

A high-level meeting with business people will take place during his visit, the embassy said.

South Africa and Zimbabwe enjoy cordial relations underpinned by strong historical and political bonds that date back to the era of the liberation struggle, Ngqulunga said.

The two countries have convened Bi-National Commission (BNC) meetings every year since 2015. The BNC is co-chaired by the two heads of state.

The last BNC was held on October 3 with the participation of then Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who was forced out of power not long after he returned home.

South Africa and Zimbabwe have signed over 40 memoranda of understanding and agreements, covering wide aspects including security, energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, trade, transport and arts and culture, according to the Presidency.

Trade between the two countries has seen exponential growth over the years with Zimbabwe being one of South Africa's top five trading partners in the region and the continent, the Presidency said.

South African exports to Zimbabwe in 2016 were worth 29.3 billion rand (about 231 million U.S. dollars), said the Presidency. Enditem