WC Premier Winde keen to retain 'strong' links with US

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he's had a productive ten-day trip to the United States of America to improve trade relations, investment and jobs in the province.

A delegation from the Western Cape government and Wesgro joined Winde on the recent trip.

Winde said that despite recent challenges between South Africa and the USA, the Western Cape has longstanding, robust relationships with various US states.

"We have got to make sure that this market is retained. We have a strong agricultural link with the US, a strong tourism and foreign direct investment link with the US, and we've got to make sure that the Western Cape's voice is heard in the negotiations."  

Winde said the province's relationship with the US had garnered more than R15.5 billion in trade.

"It is also a key market for foreign direct investment. In the last ten years, more than R33 billion in FDI coming into the Western Cape. This has to be protected and also we have to make sure we continue with it."

Winde said he held high level engagements with government and private sector stakeholders in Washington D.C., Atlanta and New York City.