By Hassan Isilow
PRETORIA, South Africa (AA) - South African President Jacob Zuma and the visiting Qatari head of state have agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s emir, arrived Tuesday night for a two-day state visit in Africa’s most advanced economy, Zuma’s office announced on Wednesday.
“The state visit aims to deepen and strengthen the already existing good political, economic and social relations,” said a statement from Zuma’s office.
Most journalists had expected the emir to arrive Wednesday, but the statement said the Qatari leader requested that they meet a day earlier while returning from a state visit to Kenya.
The statement also denied claims that Zuma rescheduled the meeting to avoid embarrassment to his guests, as thousands of opposition supporters were due to march to his office on Wednesday.
‘‘The visit is also anticipated to provide the two heads of state a platform to discuss matters of strategic interest related to regional and global security,’’ the statement said.
The statement further said the emir’s visit to South Africa follows Zuma’s successful state to Qatar last year focused on trade and investment, agriculture and agro-processing, defense, and ocean economy cooperation.
South Africa and Qatar enjoy good economic ties, with bilateral trade rising from R4 billion ($293 million) in 2012 to R7 billion ($513 million) in 2016.
One of South Africa's largest investments in the Middle East is Sasol’s gas-to-liquid (GTL) joint venture facility in Qatar.
Other South African investments in Qatar include PetroWorld, PetroSA, and CKR Consulting Engineers.