Economics on agenda for SA talks with Nigeria

Economic co-operation would come under the spotlight when the South Africa-Nigeria Binational Commission meets in Durban this week, the South African foreign affairs department said in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The commission would be chaired by the deputy presidents of the two countries - Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Atiku Abubaker of Nigeria.

It is to meet on Thursday and Friday, the department said in a statement.

The meeting would be preceded by expert discussions by working groups dealing with issues like trade and industry, finance, minerals and energy, agriculture, foreign affairs, and defence.




The two countries would assess progress made by the working groups since the commission's last meeting in Lagos, Nigeria, in December 2003, and to further expand areas of co-operation, the department said.

"The session will also serve to explore and agree on concrete actions to promote the New Partnership for Africa's Development within the various sectors of bilateral co-operation."

The statement said much progress had been made in boosting bilateral trade and investment. In 2000, Nigeria became South Africa's largest trading partner in West Africa.

In 2003, two-way trade amounted to R4,9-billion - of which R2,3-billion comprised South African exports to Nigeria. This was down from two-way trade of R6,3-billion in 2002.

Crude oil was South Africa's main import from Nigeria. - Sapa