Nigeria, South Africa sign agreements on various sectors

The MoUs were signed to strengthen bilateral relations.

Nigeria and South African governments on Tuesday signed nine MoUs and agreements to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two countries signed the agreements on Tuesday in Cape Town as part of activities marking President Goodluck Jonathan’s state visit to South Africa.

The agreements were in the areas of defence cooperation, waver of visas on diplomatic and official passports, cooperation in legal field, oil and gas, geology, mining and mineral processing, and metallurgy.

Others are on women and child development, power sector development, cooperation in the field environment, and information and communication technology.

President Jonathan said that cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa is key to Africa’s economic and political development.

“South Africa and Nigeria are critical countries in Africa and must work together so that Africa can move forward in the drive to boost the standard of living of our people.

“The world expects so much from us, we must cooperate and work together, so that we will not fail the world about these expectations,” Mr. Jonathan said.

He said that the signing of the MoU and agreements will help in strengthening relationship between the two countries.

“Today’s ceremony is unique given the number of document signed. it will stimulate relationship between the two countries,” Mr. Jonathan said.

He said businesses between the two countries are performing well.

“South Africa and Nigeria businesses are doing well and there is cooperation in various fields, but there is need for a stronger people to people relationship.

“Nigeria has opened all sector of her economy for investment, I urge South Africans to come and invest in Nigeria. South Africa should also open her door to Nigerian investors,’’ Mr. Jonathan said.

In his remark, President Jacob Zuma said Mr. Jonathan’s visit generated interest and excitement in South Africa.

“As we will be celebrating 20 years of freedom next year we remain highly appreciative of the solidarity that South Africa liberation struggle and our people enjoyed from successive governments and the people of Nigeria.

“We have a duty to take these historical relations further,” Mr. Zuma said.

He said that the two countries have a growing and warm bilateral relationship structured through a Binational Commission.

“We have today witnessed the signing of new agreements and MoUs. Our ministers will ensure the effective implementations of these instruments and the conclusion of those outstanding,” Mr. Zuma said.

He said the South Africa-Nigeria Business forum will further boost economic relations between the two countries.

“We welcome the participation of South African business in other sectors in Nigeria, we have also seen kin interest from Nigerian businesses investing and doing business in South Africa,” Mr. Zuma said.

He said more than 73,282 Nigerian tourists visited South Africa in 2012.

“This is a 13.8 per cent increase from the previous year, we welcome this upward trend

“Our record indicates that Nigeria tourists contributed a total of R720 million (about N1.5 billion) to South Africa’s economy last year.

“To boost tourism links further, South Africa is in the process of opening a tourism office in Lagos,” Mr. Zuma said.

As part of the state visit, Nigeria and South Africa business community will hold a Business Forum, where issue affecting business relationship between the two countries and economic their potentialities will be discussed.

(NAN)