JOHANNESBURG - Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says the extension of AGOA for another year creates a platform for South Africa to continue engaging with the US.
“In particular with Senate and Congress about how AGOA will pan out going forward and what the structure will be,” said Tau.
He said while the extension was welcome, it was difficult for businesses to plan with the uncertainty of what would happen in the next year.
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“That is something we will have to work with the US on. But the statement gives a sense of confidence that there is hope for further engagements with the US.”
Economic Lumkile Mondi said he was also hopeful that SA and the US will find common ground in the next few months.
“We’re very excited with the one-year extension. We hope this time will allow us to negotiate more because the bigger, the better. The American market is important; we want to have access to that. We need to ensure that the one-year becomes another three-year extension,” said Mondi.