State Department to Lead Business Trade Mission to South Africa

WASHINGTON, August 6, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

August 3, 2012

The State Department is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to lead a business delegation of approximately 10 senior U.S. executives to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, South Africa from August 6-8, 2012. The mission is in conjunction with Secretary Clinton's travel to South Africa for the annual U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue meeting.

The trade mission is one facet of the Department of State's economic statecraft policy which harnesses the tools and forces of global economics to advance our diplomatic agenda. The mission showcases our commitment to highlighting investment opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in infrastructure.

A key component of the trade mission is the U.S.-South Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg on August 6, a 200-person event that will feature remarks from business executives and senior U.S. and South African government officials. In addition, the Secretary will meet with the business delegation, senior government officials from the Republic of South Africa, and senior representatives from the South African private sector as part of the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue.

Confirmed business delegates include senior executives from Black & Veatch, Boeing, Chevron, EMD/Caterpillar, FedEx Express, GE, Symbion, Trimble, Wal-Mart, and Zanbato. The heads of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im), and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) as well as Under Secretary of State Hormats and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Sánchez are participating in the mission.

South Africa is the leading market in Africa for American goods, and the United States is both an important export market and a source of foreign direct investment for South Africa. Expanding and deepening this vital economic relationship helps to grow businesses, increase exports, and create jobs in both countries. The U.S. government is committed to assist and facilitate trade and investment through its existing programs and advocacy both in the United States and through its embassies and missions in South Africa and throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Learn more about the activities of the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State at: http://www.state.gov/p/af/index.htm. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: http://www.facebook.com/DOSAfricanAffairs and http://twitter.com/#!/AFAsstSecy