CCA President Stephen Hayes congratulated Secretary Daley in a private message, and praised President Obama for his selection. “The Administration needs more people like Mr. Daley”, he said, “especially in such key positions that transcend all issues. We need people throughout the Administration who understand the importance of Africa to our own economic interests, and we need leaders who have taken the time to visit Africa, especially when they represent this nation’s highest economic concerns.”
In the selection of Mr. Daley as his Chief of Staff, President Obama also selected one of the few, former United States Secretary of Commerce, to lead a US trade mission to sub-Saharan Africa. Secretary Daley concluded his Africa visit on September 17, 1998. Hayes also noted that Daley is one of two Secretaries of Commerce to have addressed a CCA US-Africa Summit, having done so in April 1999. Secretary Don Evans, United States Secretary of Commerce appointed by President George W. Bush did so in 2003 and also at the CCA led Private Sector Forum that same year.
Hayes noted that it has been almost a decade since a US Secretary of Commerce led a trade mission to Africa. “We can all hope that with Secretary Daley in the White House, there will be further incentive for our nation’s economic leaders to visit Africa and lead American business back to the continent”, said Hayes.
“Mr. Daley is a man of the people and understands the pressures on our economy and American workers. He understands the relationship of international trade to our own economic growth. He also recognizes the importance of Africa to our future. We can only be encouraged by this appointment.”
“It was recently announced that the Obama Administration was going to focus more on Africa in 2011, and the appointment of Mr. Daley will only strengthen that commitment.” Hayes concluded. “We will continue to work with this Administration, and any other US Administration, in its work to increase the trade relationships and business partnerships between the US and the nations of Africa.”
About The Corporate Council on Africa
Established in 1993, The Corporate Council on Africa is a nonpartisan 501 (c) (3) membership organization of nearly 180 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. The organization is dedicated to bringing together potential business partners and to showcase business opportunities on the continent. For more information, please visit: www.africacncl.org.
CONTACT: Rashida Petersen, (202) 263-3534, rpetersen@africacncl.org.
