President Jacob Zuma said this when briefing journalists at Tuynhuys in Parliament on Tuesday when he received the Burundi President on his first ever official state visit to South Africa.

The President said trade between the two countries have risen steadily from R47.7 million to R52 million in 2013. “This visit should also enable us to discuss further how to take advantage of the potential that exists to enhance trade and investment. “The business people from both countries should certainly improve these figures by further exploring opportunities in the two countries,” he said.

The Burundi President was accompanied by a delegation of Ministers, from those responsible for arts and culture to those responsible for international relations.

President Zuma was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashamaite, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana, amongst others.

The President said the meeting led to the signing of an agreement to structure the relationship through the Joint Commission for Cooperation.

He said the two countries had signed cooperation agreements in the fields of Agriculture, Arts and Culture, Commerce, Education, Politics, Defence, Sports, Mining, Women Empowerment, Investment, Health, Science and Technology, Communications, Public Works and Finance.

“Our two countries share a rich history of struggle against discrimination and other ills.

“It is only proper that we should cooperate in sharing this history through cultural tourism, museums, the restoration of historic sites, the preservation and conservation of monuments, the study of languages, literature and lecture tours,” President Zuma said.