Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said South Africa is working around the clock to expand and develop the economy to improve living for everyone.
The minister announced this during Monday’s South Africa-United States Strategic Dialogue.
She recognised that apartheid-related inequality, poverty, and unemployment persist.
She remarked, “We must solve these concerns to avert societal unrest.”
She said South Africa’s U.S. connections are wide, deep, and matched with national interests.
Pandor recognised the US’s commitment to tackling the socio-economic challenges faced by the majority by providing equitable and quality education, adequate housing, and crucial healthcare services to the most disadvantaged.
She also appreciated US support for fighting COVID-19.
South Africa is Africa’s biggest US trading partner, the minister said.
The presence of US firms working inside our borders, such as General Electric and Ford, has made the US private sector a major partner in supporting South Africa’s socio-economic progress.
She thanked American corporations for supporting Cyril Ramaphosa’s investment agenda.
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the US still believes in our country’s future and our potential as an investment destination and trade partner.
Trade
Pandor praised the rise in two-way commerce from $13.9 billion in 2010 to US$21 billion in 2021.
In 2021, the US was South Africa’s second-largest export market, and South African corporations were major foreign investors.
South Africa invests 17.4% of its foreign direct investment abroad in the U.S.
We can and should do more.
She said both countries must settle persistent trade challenges concerning market access, particularly Section 232 tariffs on South African steel and aluminium imports into the US.
“As we will hear later, the President and his economic team have worked hard to make it easier for foreign companies to invest in our nation and to strengthen our trade and investment ties for mutual gain.”
Food-safety
Many nations have expensive gasoline, food, and transportation expenses, she noted.
According to the Minister, these concerns, notably climate change, affect food security and agricultural systems in Africa.
“The current uncertainty and anxiety urge us as leaders to plan a road ahead that gives hope and inspiration to our peoples.”
She wants UN, G7, and G20 commitments to address food hunger, global health, peace and security, sustainable and fair energy transition, and human security to be fulfilled.
“We must consistently strengthen our commitment to multilateralism, democracy, and human rights – and employ proven methods of diplomacy, peace-building discussion, and mediation to settle conflict and eliminate terrible and avoidable human suffering from wars and other kinds of conflict.”
Blinken praised South Africa’s contributions to the G7, G20, global health, climate change, and food and security.
South Africa’s words and actions have worldwide repercussions.
He also claimed the US will help with local governments during and after the outbreak.
He congratulated South African scientists for identifying the Omicron variant and said President Biden will welcome President Ramaphosa next month.