SAfrica, Angola to hold trade talks

ANGOLA: South African President Jacob Zuma visited Angola on Thursday in a bid to build business ties with the major oil exporter and to hold talks will Angolan leader Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The trip is Zuma's first state visit since taking office in May, and he brought along a hefty delegation of 11 ministers and a raft of business leaders hoping to clinch contracts in areas from construction to energy.

"Angola has always supported South Africa in its most difficult moments," Zuma told state media after arriving late Wednesday, pledging more co-operation, strengthened ties and increased trade with Luanda.

"The Angolans consented to many sacrifices to support us a lot against the apartheid regime, so we are here to say thank Angolan people.

Luanda, Thursday, AFP