JOHANNESBURG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- South Africa is to send an investment promotion and trade mission to the United States to expand economic ties between the two countries.

    The mission to the states of Minnesota and Florida would focus on agro-processing, energy and manufacturing, according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday by the South African Trade and Industry Department and the International Marketing Council.

    "These two states were selected because they make such an important contribution to the overall U.S. economy and they will host seminars and one-on-one meetings," leader of the delegation Iqbal Sharma, deputy director of trade and investment, was quoted in the statement as saying.

    Sharma said the targeted sectors were decided on as they offered a greater match with prioritized South African industries, there were technology transfer possibilities and the potential to fill immediate gaps in South African industries.

    "The overall aim is to attract investment and boost trade to enhance job creation," said Sharma.

    South Africa was Minnesota's biggest trading partner in Africa. Exports from Minnesota to South Africa increased from 32.1 million U.S. dollars in 2003 to 61.7 million dollars last year, the statement said.

    The meetings and seminars would be held from July 21 to July 24.