DTIC fails to account to Western Cape Standing Committee on AGOA as 136 000 agriculture jobs hang in the balance
11 June 2023
On Friday, the Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism was briefed by the Western Cape’s Tourism, Trade, and Investment Promotion Agency, Wesgro, and the Provincial Departments of Economic Opportunities and Tourism, and Agriculture.
This Standing Committee meeting focused on the steps being taken to lobby for South Africa’s continued inclusion in the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Departments of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), and Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) were also invited to attend the Standing Committee but declined.
In response to the invitation, DTIC wrote: “As AGOA is a matter of national policy interest affecting all provinces, the Ministry proposes that the NCOP Select Committee convenes a briefing on AGOA and invite all Provincial Legislatures to the briefing. I have spoken to the Select Committee Chairperson … to facilitate the Select Committee Briefing Session.”
MPP Cayla Murray said: “Trade is an area of concurrence for provinces according to the Constitution and we know that AGOA contributes the most in trade and jobs to the Western Cape’s economy. Five of the top ten South African exports to the US originate from our province alone. I am extremely disappointed that DTIC, as the responsible Department, failed to brief the Standing Committee on their efforts to lobby for South Africa’s inclusion in AGOA or elaborate on provisions that could be expanded.”