• Submitted by: manso
• Politics and Government
• 12 / 06 / 2010

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December 6 2010 at 12:14am. Associated Press. South African President Jacob Zuma, left, talks to Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Rodriguez upon his arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba.

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma arrived in Cuba on Sunday in an attempt to strengthen bilateral trade relations, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation said.

“South Africa is committed to consolidating political, economic and trade relations with Cuba with a focus on common positions on issues of mutual concern,” it said in a statement.

“Although bilateral trade remains low, there has been a steady increase in trade over the past few years.”

The department said South Africa and Cuba were working on a strategy to address the trade gaps.

In 2008, total bilateral trade between South Africa and Cuba stood at R98-million.

In the wake of the global economic crisis, trade decreased to R27-million in 2009. - Sapa

Source: /www.iol.co.za/news/politics/zuma-lands-in-cuba-for-talks-1.981589