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Rina Chandran

The team will focus on areas such as information and communication technologies, food & agriculture, and mining & infrastructure, Col. Qomoyi said.

Mumbai , Sept. 24

THE President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki, will come to India on a four-day state visit in October, and will combine a touch of cricket excitement and Bollywood glamour with his business engagements in Mumbai.

The delegation, comprising Ministers, high-ranking officials, senior business persons and CEOs of major companies, is coming to mark the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and will visit New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, as well, said Colonel H. Qomoyi, Consul General, South Africa.

The team will focus on areas such as information and communication technologies, food & agriculture, and mining & infrastructure.

The visit will strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, and take the relationship to even greater heights, Col. Qomoyi said.

India's trade with South Africa stood at more than $1.5 billion in 2001-02 and is expected to continue to grow rapidly. In the IT sector, Indian companies that have a significant presence in South Africa include TCS, Infosys, i-flex Solutions, TCIL, Modicom Solutions and BPL Display Devices.

On their last day in Mumbai - October 18 — in addition to business engagements, there will be a limited-over invitation cricket match at Brabourne Stadium, a concert by two South African artistes and a dinner featuring several Bollywood stars.

The South African Consulate is working with event management company Wizcraft to put together an Indian team, including retired cricketers and Bollywood stars, besides some players from the national team, Col. Qomoyi said.

Four South African players will also be here, so the two teams will comprise a mix of players and celebrities. The South African President will bowl the first ball, and present the winner's trophy.

"The match is to highlight the 10th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and our way of saying `thank you' to India -- for supporting us in our fight against apartheid -- in the presence of our President," Col. Qomoyi said.

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