ACDP supports SA efforts to extend Agoa

MEDIA RELEASE
Cheryllyn Dudley MP
18th September 2013

ACDP supports SA efforts to extend Agoa
• SA efforts may be too little too late
•US/SA relations not always an SA priority
•poverty and inequality will rise if SA loses preferential market access."

ACDP MP and Member on Parliaments International Relations Committee, Cheryllyn Dudley said today that:

"The ACDP supports SA's combined efforts to extent Agoa for the mutual benefit of SA, and the Region.  We would not be surprised however if our efforts amount to 'too little too late' as US/SA relations are not always a SA priority and this I am sure has not gone unnoticed!"

MP Cheryllyn Dudley said "Our efforts to address poverty and inequality will take a serious knock if Min Davies fails in his belated efforts to argue the mutual benefits of Agoa for the US and SA."

A high-level government and business delegation is in the US this week to present South Africa’s case for the extension of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) beyond its September 30, 2015 expiry date.

Agoa, first introduced in 2000 and extended in 2008, offers duty-free and quota-free access to the giant US market across a wide range of products from qualifying African countries.

African governments strongly favour extending Agoa, and US President Obama has shown support but Congressional approval is required and a formal public review has been launched.

Given  SA's development, our inclusion in BRICS our non-reciprocal US trade preferences and reciprocal relations with the EU  -concerns have been raised.

European carmakers exporting vehicles to the US from facilities in SA make SA one of the largest beneficiaries of Agoa - a point highlighted by Pres Obama when he called for a level playing field for US investors and exporters.

South Africa is presently the continent's largest non-oil-exporting beneficiary of America’s preferential market-access  which includes motor vehicles and parts, nonferrous metals, iron and steel, chemicals, and other mining products.

ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley with SA Ambassador Rassool in Washington DC in June 2012

NB  ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley attended Agoa committee Hearings in Washington in June '12