Simpson Miller, Zuma sign off on stronger ties

Jamaica and South Africa have agreed to deepen their ties in several areas.

The agreement was reached during bilateral talks between Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and South African President Jacob Zuma in Kingston yesterday.

Zuma, accompanied by his wife Nompumelelo Mantuli, was in the island on a one-day state visit to participate in activities planned to mark Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence.

Speaking during a joint press conference following their talks, Simpson Miller announced that some of the areas being looked at are science and technology, tourism, the crafting of an air service agreement and increased trade between both countries.

"I am quite satisfied that following our discussions on these matters our two countries will work with intensity to move our cooperation agenda forward," Simpson Miller said.

Zuma revealed that a number of other draft agreements and memoranda of understanding are being negotiated between the two countries in the areas of sports, defence and security, public works, education and social development.

"These agreements will serve to foster mutual cooperation exchanges and best practices in the respective fields," he asserted.

"We also envisage cooperation among our universities on joint research projects, student and academic exchange programmes," he told reporters.

Sights on trade

In addition, the South African president said he would like to see increased volumes of trade and investment between Jamaica and his country.

"We are committed to encouraging and facilitating South African companies doing business in Jamaica," he said.

Zuma lauded Jamaica's gold medal successes at the Olympic Games in London, saying Africans in the diaspora are beginning to make their presence felt.

"And Jamaica is among the strongest of those countries," he quickly added.

Earlier Zuma was greeted at the Norman Manley International Airport by Simpson Miller and members of the Cabinet.

He was scheduled to leave the island last evening.