APO News from Africa:
Minister Davies and Deputy Minister Magwanishe Conclude France Visit:
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies and his Deputy Gratitude Magwanishe, have arrived back in South Africa from Paris where they attended the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between South Africa and France. The JEC was preceded by the South Africa – France Business Forum which was attended by business delegations from both countries.
Minister Davies message to the French was that time for passive shareholders is over and that Radical Economic Transformation is the way to go.
“We cannot have an economy in which ownership, control and leadership is only confined to a small section of the population. We need to broaden the base of participation in our economy, so for us black economic empowerment is imperative. What we are looking at in the model of empowerment that we have put to companies, is we are particularly focusing on empowering people to become real players in the real economy. Rather than being shareholders in somebody else`s company where they are not playing a leading role or developing their capacities,” said Minister Davies.
Our trade relations with France and the European Union (EU) are governed by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which came to force last year. The EPA replaces the trade chapter of the Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA). The SADC EPA group (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland) is now a common framework for all the members. Minister Davies highlighted that the EPA’s is also providing a way to ensure that Brexit does not disrupt our trade relations either with the United Kingdom or the EU. He emphasised that the EPA will continue to guide our trade relations with the EU after the Brexit.
Minister Davies and Deputy Minister Magwanishe also held bilateral meetings with French Minister of State for the Industry, Digital Sector and Innovation: Christophe Sirugue and Minister of State for European Affairs and International Trade: Harlem Desir. Minister Davies and Minister Sirugue delivered keynote addresses at the Business Forum which was followed by presentations and business to business interaction. The Joint Economic Commission was opened with keynote addresses by Minister Davies and Minister Desir. Minister Davies stated that trade and investment figures shows that there is an opportunity for South African businesses to increase the exports to France and for French companies increases their investment into South Africa in targeted sector.
South African exports to France increased from R6.6 billion in 2012 to R8.1 billion in 2016 showing an average growth of 7%over the mentioned period. However, South Africa has been facing a massive trade deficit between these years as imports from France increased from R20.3 billion in 2012 to 41.5 billion in 2016. South Africa’s imports from France in 2016 compared to 2015 showed an increase of 35%, double than the percentage increase in our export to France last year.
Distributed by APO on behalf of The Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
Vera Songwe appointed Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa:
United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has appointed Vera Songwe as ECA’s Executive Secretary. The Cameroonian economist and banking executive is the first woman to ever serve in this role.
Ms. Songwe has been working as the International Finance Corporation’s regional director for Africa covering West and Central Africa since 2015. She is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institute: Global Development and Africa Growth Initiative (since 2011).
She brings to the position a longstanding track record of policy advice and results oriented implementation in the region, coupled with a strong strategic vision for the region.
Ms. Songwe was previously Country Director for Senegal, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania at the World Bank (2012-2015), Adviser to the Managing Director of the World Bank for Africa, Europe and Central Asia and South Asia Regions (2008-2011) and Lead Country Sector Coordinator (2005-2008).
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
The United States Urges Students Interested in Study Abroad to Beware of Fraud:
This is the time of year when U.S. colleges and universities send out acceptance letters to students for the coming academic year. While this is an exciting time for anyone seeking to study in the United States, it is also a time to be wary of scams and fraud. Unscrupulous businesses and individuals may seek to obtain money by claiming to represent a university in the U.S. and offer a scholarship.
Often times these scams will ask the recipient to send money for application or visa fees, with the promise that they will receive instructions on how to receive a visa later? As a rule of thumb, if you receive an offer from a university or college but did not apply to that institution, it is most likely not a legitimate offer. If you still are not sure, you can often check by visiting the website of the university and using the contact information provided there to inquire about the offer. Never use the contact information provided in an unsolicited offer of acceptance.
Studying in the United States can be a rewarding and enriching experience both for international students and their American classmates. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa is committed to facilitating legitimate travel for qualified visa applicants. You can find more information about the process of applying for a student visa here: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/study-exchange/student.html.
Distributed by APO on behalf of U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
