Siseko Njobeni, Trade And Industry Correspondent
8 December 2004
Johannesburg — US TRADE representative Robert Zoellick is to hold talks with trade ministers of several southern African countries later this week to discuss bilateral trade between the US and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu).
Increased trade with the US is seen as important for the economic prosperity of the five countries forming the customs union Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, SA and Swaziland.
The countries already enjoy preferential access to the US market for their exports under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
Negotiations for a free trade agreement between the US and Sacu suffered a setback earlier this year when the parties reached a deadlock on details.
The parties were initially scheduled to conclude the talks by this month.
According to a US embassy statement, Zoellick started his official visit to Africa yesterday. He is scheduled to visit Namibia and Lesotho on Friday.
He will hold talks with trade ministers from the five Sacu countries while in Namibia "to advance ongoing negotiations towards a USSacu free trade agreement".
Zoellick said that, in addition to discussing trade issues, he would find out about the economic successes of Agoa.
He is scheduled to meet legislators, farmers and representatives of the business community.
During his four-day visit to Senegal, Benin and Mali, Zoellick will discuss multilateral trade and learn more about the countries' needs on cotton and other key products.
West Africa has a vibrant cotton industry that has suffered as a result of agricultural subsidies for farmers in the US.
The visit will be Zoellick's third trip to sub-Saharan Africa this year.
US assistant trade representative for Africa Florie Liser will accompany Zoellick.
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