SA received strong bipartisan support from US Congress for re-authorisation of AGOA - Tau

CAPE TOWN - Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says South Africa has received strong bipartisan support from the United States (US) Congress for the re-authorisation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Tau said the country was no longer at risk of being removed from AGOA - following a successful forum in the US.

He also touched on the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) trade ministers meeting, saying it was successful in advancing future trade relations for South Africa.

On Tuesday, Tau provided feedback following his department's missions to the AGOA Forum in Washington DC as well as the BRICS meeting in Moscow.

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Tau said their mission to the US as part of AGOA has yielded positive results.

He said they regard the AGOA Forum as a crucial engagement to reinforce the strong economic ties between South Africa and its American counterpart.

Proposals presented by South Africa included the extension of AGOA to ensure stability, said Tau.

“We received strong bipartisan backing from the US Congress and our colleagues in the US administration for the reauthorisation of AGOA. 

“The mutually beneficial economic and trade partnership is highlighted by the more than 600 US businesses operating in South Africa, with over 1.3 million jobs created in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Tau said there were also calls for AGOA enhancements to support the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to further complement the region’s economic integration.