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The Western Cape Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism will finally be updated on South Africa’s inclusion in the renewed African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), when the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, appears before the NCOP.

The Standing Committee was invited to the NCOP and have received confirmation from the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, Mandla Isaac Rayi, that the members of the Standing Committee will have full speaking rights. The meeting will take place from 08:00 to 12:00 on 26 September at the NCOP.

The Western Cape has pushed hard for feedback from the Minister on his efforts to secure our inclusion. Despite numerous invitations to appear before the Standing Committee, the Minister has steadfastly refused to come.

After consultation with the Minister and the Chairperson of the Select Committee, we agreed that attending the NCOP briefing would provide a suitable opportunity for representatives from the Western Cape to receive feedback, and to raise their concerns directly with the Minister.

In a welcomed step, the Minister has committed to briefing affected provinces again on the outcomes of the AGOA summit in November.

AGOA is a lifeline for the Western Cape economy, and especially our agriculture sector. The DA will use this opportunity to make sure our residents’ concerns are not disregarded.

Issued by Cayla Murray, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism