DIRECTORATE INTERNATIONAL TRADE AMERICAS AND ASIA DESK PRESENTED BY: Ms PINDIWE JARA 28 AUGUST 2008

2 OVERVIEWOVERVIEW  Trade negotiations with countries of Americas, Asia- Pacific and the Far-East  For Americas there is AGOA and SACU-MERCUSOR PTA  Currently involved in negotiations with India  China is a possibility  No agreement with Asian countries, normal import duties apply

3 AGOA: BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES  African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the unilateral preferential trade programme offered by the United States  Last year South Africa used 25% of its agricultural export opportunities.  AGOA was signed in 2000 with an expiry date of 2015 then a new arrangement will come to effect.  AGOA grants duty free, quota free market access to sub-Sahara African countries  Under AGOA, South African agricultural exports to the US have increased over the past years.

4 SACU-MERCOSUR PTA: BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES  SACU-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement is concluded, could be implemented next year  MERCOSUR comprises of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay  SACU-MERCOSUR PTA covers a narrow range of products in industrial, agricultural and fisheries.  The benefits are in the form of reduced tariffs (25%- 100%)

5 END END THANK YOU NDIYABULELA