South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Thursday concluded bilateral discussions with her Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos in Madrid, the foreign affairs department said.

Spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said Dlamini-Zuma 's two-day visit was aimed at boosting economic ties between SA and Spain.

Economic relations between the two countries had grown rapidly recently, with total trade amounting to R19 billion. It had doubled over the past four years and was heavily in South Africa's favour.

The two ministers agreed that this augured well for the future development of economic relations. They agreed on concrete steps to further enhance this growing, mutually beneficial relationship.

It was agreed, amongst others, that the two governments would actively encourage visits by business delegations.

In recent years Moratinos indicated that Spanish companies were actively exploring investment opportunities in South African sectors such as construction, agro-food processing and tourism and hospitality.