Cape Town

Cabinet has welcomed the confirmation by both the United States Administration and Congress of the intention to extend AGOA, which brings certainty to the investment community in eligible countries.

“Cabinet has always asserted that the African Growth and Opportunity Act [AGOA] provides an opportunity for the United States of America to strengthen its economic relationship with Africa and thus it must be extended for a meaningful period, enhanced to make it impactful and attractive,” said Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Monday.

The 20th AGOA Forum was hosted in Johannesburg last week and it concluded on Saturday.

The forum, held from 2 - 4 November 2023, brought together participants from 32 Africa countries from government, business, civil society and organised labour, for the first time, including representatives of the United States government. 

BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting

Cabinet has also welcomed the successful conclusion of the 2023 BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting held in Cape Town, which committed member nations to deeper cooperation and to promote intra-BRICS tourism, develop routes for better tourism mobility and connectivity among the member countries.

Ntshavheni said this will further strengthen South Africa’s tourism sector, which is already showing signs of recovery. 

“For the first eight months of 2023, the country saw 5.5 million arrivals, which represented a 63.4% increase from the same period in 2022,” the Minister said.

Held in Cape Town on 24 October 2023, the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting provided an opportunity for exchange of information and experiences, as well as deepening cooperation among BRICS members to reach consensus on key policy priorities for a balanced tourism recovery.

To ensure continuity and to leverage on the combined strength of BRICS member States, South Africa’s theme for chairing the meeting was: “Sustainable and inclusive tourism recovery”, which aligns to the overall theme of SA’s chairship. – SAnews.gov.za

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