Many SA companies have not responded, writes Alan Peat
SPEAK UP on the new US trade benefits, or lose out.
That's the advice from Riaan de Lange, head of international trade at Deloitte & Touche, to SA companies or industry sectors which want a fair share of the benefits offered by the Africa Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA).
This new trade benefit baby from the US was delivered on May 18 when - after nearly five years of political wrangling and opposition from special interest groups in the US - AGOA was passed by Congress, and signed into public law by President Clinton.
It amends the already-existing generalised system of preferences (GSP) programme authorising the President to provide GSP treatment (duty-free entry to the massive US market) for selected products from designated sub-Saharan African countries for a period of eight years.
But, in the political machinations leading up to the final signing of AGOA, a timetable for the aspirant African entrants was laid out (See accompanying story on the parliamentary procedures) - and July 5 was the initial date for public comment or submissions.
Reporting from a high-power meeting between business and Department of Trade and Industry officials intended to clarify the processes and procedures of AGOA, De Lange told FTW that it was evident that many SA companies had not responded to that July 5 closing date. It could be assumed, he added, that they had also not studied the new GSP list.
The critical date is now August 9, said De Lange, if they intend to appear at the public hearings.
If not, they will just have to sit back and wait for the end result which might not be to their satisfaction.
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