Zuma to pay state visit to Qatar
President Jacob Zuma will pay a brief state visit to Qatar on Thursday for talks on boosting bi-lateral ties and trade, his office said.
The presidency said political and economic relations with the Gulf state had “grown significantly over recent years and have become more diverse” since Zuma’s last visit in 2012 when it was decided to co-operate more closely in areas such as energy, water, agriculture and infrastructure development.
He is scheduled to meet with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani for talks that will also touch on “critical aspects related to global and regional security and stability”. Zuma will also address the South Africa-Qatari Business Forum.
He will be accompanied by seven ministers, including those of energy and trade and industry.
Trade between South Africa and Qatar grew from R4 billion in 2012 to R7 billion in 2015 and most of South Africa’s investments in Qatar are in the petrochemical-related sectors where Sasol is involved in the development of the country’s large gas reserves, that has made it one of the wealthiest in the region.