Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - November 8, 2003
"It is extremely helpful and politically and economically correct to join all countries with similarities together so we can establish joint action to put in practice the interests of developing countries," Lula said at a signing ceremony in the capital.
Lula, who arrived in South Africa on Friday, after similar talks in Namibia, was accompanied by about 100 Brazilian businessmen and several government ministers.
He also made stops in Angola, Sao Tome and Principe and Mozambique, all fellow members of the Portuguese-speaking commonwealth.
Lula and his South African counterpart, President Thabo Mbeki signed agreements on scientific and technological co-operation and the avoidance of double taxation.
A joint statement issued after the talks said the two countries concurred on the importance of addressing issues of poverty eradication, food security, health services, employment and education and committed themselves to "co-operation in the fight against racial discrimination and in combating health epidemics such as AIDS and malaria".
Earlier this week, Lula announced Brazil would build a $23 million factory to make HIV drugs in Mozambique. Friday, he told President Sam Nujoma that his country also would share the technology with Namibia.
Brazil has a robust drug manufacturing industry and has for years been making its own generic versions of some HIV medicines that are no longer under patent.
Southern Africa is home to more than 70% of the world's HIV-infected people.
In Brazil, about 143,000 people have AIDS and about 70,000 receive free HIV drugs from the government.
"It will make an impact in many areas, such as economic, science and technology, health, social inclusion, agriculture, international cooperation and so on," Mbeki said after the signing. "These agreements have added a great deal in terms of further deepening relations between the two countries," he said.
Brazil is South Africa's largest trading partner in Latin America with trade between the two countries valued at $696 million in 2002.
Lula also bestowed honorary citizenship of Salvador on former president Nelson Mandela. Mandela wasn't present at the ceremony.
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