DA to lobby US trade representative for platform at upcoming AGOA Summit
26 September 2023
Today Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), Ebrahim Patel, delivered a progress report on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.
The briefing by the Department follows the official confirmation by United States Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, and Minister Patel that Johannesburg will host the 20th annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Summit from November 2-4.
The joint announcement dispelled prior concerns about the relocation of the summit to a different country in the face of Congressional concern over its location in South Africa following the ANC government veering off its stated non-aligned foreign policy.
The Summit will assemble representatives from respective AGOA-eligible countries, the United States, key regional economic organizations, private sectors, civil societies, and labor unions. Agenda items will explore avenues for fortifying US-Sub-Saharan Africa trade relations and strategies for sustainable, resilient economic development.