Cape Town – South Africa has signed 10 memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Ivory Coast, as the two countries aimed at deepening trade and investment ties.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was in the west African country where he met his counterpart Alassane Ouattara on Thursday.
“President Ouattara and I witnessed the signing of ten Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements in various areas of cooperation. We have undertaken to deepen trade and investment between our two countries.
President Ouattara and I witnessed the signing of ten Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements in various areas of cooperation. We have undertaken to deepen trade and investment between our two countries. #SAinIvoryCoast pic.twitter.com/nZ8Mq6Y4Tn
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 2, 2021
“The State Visit to Côte d’Ivoire aims to strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries with a view to create a strategic partnership that will be enduring and mutually-beneficial,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa also said, as quoted by Times Live: “Based on the priorities and comparative advantages of both our countries, we have agreed on the need to increase investment in value addition in agriculture and agro-processing and development in the mining sector.
“We are looking to expand trade in petroleum products, fresh produce, retail and agricultural products, and to explore opportunities for medical and educational tourism.”
The State Visit to Côte d’Ivoire aims to strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries with a view to create a strategic partnership that will be enduring and mutually-beneficial. #SAinIvoryCoast pic.twitter.com/MZlJ33KOdd
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 2, 2021
According to EWN, a large delegation of ministers and business people were in the West African state with Ramaphosa on a mission to nurture relations, which will lead to stronger trade and diplomatic deals among other pursuits.
Ivory Coast was the delegation’s second stop after Nigeria and will be followed by Ghana and Senegal.
Ramaphosa, who began his four-nation West Africa visit in Nigeria on Tuesday evening, hoped his visit would result in more businesses from the region investing in the country.
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The visit was expected to conclude on December 7.
“During this visit South Africa and the partner states will explore ways to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area for mutual benefit and with greater support for businesses conducting intra-African trade and investment,” the presidency said in a statement.
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