President Thabo Mbeki said yesterday that whatever agreements were reached during discussions with his US counterpart George W Bush the two sides should focus on assisting southern Africa in terms of its development.

"It is important, I think, that there should be that kind of orientation that should be agreed," Mbeki told SABC television news.

"It's also very important that we should continue to encourage the US corporate world to focus on South Africa, to invest here.

"I'm sure President Bush can help a great deal in communicating that message".

The two leaders meet in Pretoria today to discuss, among other things, economic issues, the deepening political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe and bilateral matters between South Africa and the US.

Bush was expected to land at the Waterkloof Air Force base in Centurion, south of Pretoria, around 11pm last night, on his whistle-stop visit to the country. – Sapa.