TRADE AGREEMENTS
SPEAKERS:
This important EWC event on the urgency of the AGOA Acts’ potential extension was hosted at the lovely Bowman’s offices. With a great introduction to the event by one of their senior associate, Julia Choate.
Eckart Naumann was the first speaker and stressed the significance of extending the AGOA Act beyond its self-termination date in 2025. The USA export route is a crucial market for African exporters, and it is essential to fast-track the act’s renewal. He emphasised that the USA does not want to lose its foothold in the African AGOA countries.
Trudy Hartzenberg, the second speaker from Tralac, spoke about the recent Business Forum AFCFTA that took place at the CTICC that week. She highlighted the global interest in the agreement and how AGOA provides a strong focus on investment between Africa and the USA. She also explained how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) presents a remarkable opportunity for USA businesses to establish their operations in one of the state parties of the AFCFTA and gain access to market opportunities. Trudy also provided much-needed updates and feedback about current affairs and what’s next.
Terry ended the night on a high note with some exciting updates on how to stand a chance to win a round trip to Hong Kong with the Cathay Pacific route returning to South Africa on the 1 of August 2023.
