Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to lead a delegation to participate in the United States–Africa Leaders’ Summit in August.
The summit, which will take place from 5 - 6 August will be under the theme, Investing in the Next Generation.
“The summit is expected to bring US and African business executives together to discuss investment and business opportunities in Africa,” Communications Minister Faith Muthambi told media on Thursday.
The minister was speaking following Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday.
In January, the White House announced that the United States would host the first US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC.
“President Obama looks forward to welcoming leaders from across the African continent to the Nation’s Capital to further strengthen ties with one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions.
“The summit will build on the progress made since the President’s trip to Africa last summer, advance the administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa, and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people,” said the White House in press statement at the time.
Meanwhile, there will also be side meetings for American and African CEOs and an African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Ministerial Meeting. The meetings are aimed at strengthening relations between the US and Africa, particularly on trade and investment.
“The envisaged outcomes are the encouragement of regional integration on the continent; support for various African Union economic development programmes; peace and security, including the extension of AGOA; climate change and environment protection issues; and assistance to meet the Africa 2063 Vision goals,” said Minister Muthambi.
In May, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies told SAnews that South Africa wants to see itself included in the rollover of AGOA when it expires in 2015.
AGOA provides trade preferences for quota and duty-free entry into the United States for certain goods.
AGOA has been commended for enhancing African exports to the US. – SAnews.gov.za
