Thanks John
from SABC news
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to lift a ban on South Africa's exports of horses and red meat. The Emirates imposed the ban in 2004 during an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease.
Speaking during a State visit to the oil-rich nation, SA President Jacob Zuma said that the unbanning of horses and red meat exports was based on old technicalities. "Some technicalities that are involved with the question of banning the horses which was based on an old kind of a thing and that had happened in terms of the sickness of the horses, which is no longer there."
The UAE has become a strategic partner for South Africa, particularly in light of the Eurozone crisis and poor economic growth prospects. An agreement has also been reached on a new automotive assembly plant that will be set up in South Africa. This is likely to create hundreds of jobs.
Gijima Heavy Machine's Thabiso Taaka says: "What we have managed to do is to have an agreement where we will assemble certain equipment and products in South Africa for South African markets and also be able to export them. From that point of view we are now responding in the practical way for industrialization and the creation of jobs."
Bilateral relations are great for business.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce's Mahomed Al Romaithi says the bilateral relations between South Africa and the UAE are great for business for both countries, however, there is always room for improvement. "We need to improve; there is always room to improve. I hope our business people and South Africa will have a way to do that."
Agreements have also been reached on defence and the establishment of a joint commission to further enhance relations.
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