South Africa has been one of the beneficiaries of a unilateral trade preference programme enacted by the United States (US) in 2000. This programme, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was initially set to expire in 2008 but was extended to 2015.
The programme also has a Third Country Fabric Provision (TCFP) from which South Africa has been excluded since the beginning. Inclusion of South Africa in the TCFP would enable South African exporters to enjoy AGOA benefits for clothing and to source clothing inputs from countries outside Africa. Moreover, as we approach the end of the term for current AGOA programme, there is a need to lobby the US and ensure that South African exporters continue to benefit from this programme.
More than ten years after its enactment, we find that the programme is still under utilised in South Africa with just a few sectors taking advantage of the benefits. While the South African government continues in the efforts to lobby for the extension of AGOA beyond 2015 and the inclusion of South Africa in the TCFP, there is a need to raise awareness on this programme to encourage its wider usage, as well as, to ensure joint government and private sector lobbying efforts.
The Department of Trade and Industry will be hosting a conference for South African AGOA beneficiaries with the view to: raise awareness of AGOA and its importance to South Africa; provide clarity on government and private sector lobbying efforts; and to facilitate a process of arriving at a shared understanding among key South African stakeholders of the importance of maintaining South Africa as a beneficiary under this important Africa-US trade tool. Kindly join us for this conference that will be held on 3 August 2012, at 09h00 to 14h00, at the Southern Sun hotel, Pretoria.
Kindly confirm your attendance with
Ms Shonisani Thahale
E-mail: SMThahale@thedti.gov.za
Ms Fundiswa Mdontswa
E-mail: FMdontwa@thedti.gov.za
Invitation to the AGOA beneficiaries conference
