The rug beneath the Summit

A stitch in time: The textile sector used to be the chief AGOA sector for Botswana. The country is extending its focus to jewellery, meat, handicraft and others PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
A stitch in time: The textile sector used to be the chief AGOA sector for Botswana. The country is extending its focus to jewellery, meat, handicraft and others PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The deal-making and generation of leads at the recent US Africa Business Summit took place on a precarious foundation, namely the AGOA trade deal which expires next year. While delegates from both sides expect it to be renewed, no one yet is sure what the new AGOA will entail, writes MBONGENI MGUNI

Trade and Industry minister, Mmusi Kgafela, is closely following the progress towards renewing the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), the trade arrangement between the US and over 30 sub-Saharan African countries which provides relaxed access to the American market.

In December, Kgafela, his fellow ministers from Africa and senior officials were in Washington DC for the US Africa Leaders’ Summit where they met with various US authorities including members of Congress, raising the issue of AGOA’s expiry next year and the need for early commitments on renewal.

Editor's Comment
Prosecutors deserve better

These legal professionals, who are entrusted with upholding the rule of law, face numerous challenges that compromise their ability to effectively carry out their duties.Elsewhere in this edition, we carry a story on the lamentations of the officers of court.The prosecutors have raised a number of concerns, calling for urgent attention from all relevant stakeholders, including the President, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General. Their...

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