Southern Africa, US Free Trade Talks Promising: Officials

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 06, 2003

Southern Africa, US Free Trade Talks Promising: Officials

The first formal talks on a free trade pact between the United States and the Southern AfricanCustoms Union (SACU) ended on a promising note on Thursday, the South African Press Association reported.

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The first formal talks on a free trade pact between the United States and the Southern AfricanCustoms Union (SACU) ended on a promising note on Thursday, the South African Press Association reported.

"We are looking forward to what we see as a win-win for both sides," US chief negotiator Florie Liser told reporters in Pretoria.

"This was an excellent start," she said.

Her SACU counterpart Xavier Carim agreed, saying everything appeared to be on track to clinch an agreement by the end of next year, as scheduled.

"The atmosphere created and the flexibility on both sides will serve us well in meeting our deadline," Carim said.

The opening talks got underway on Monday.

Liser, assistant US trade representative for Africa, said the envisaged free trade treaty would be the first between the United States and a sub-Saharan region.

It would set up a platform to bolster growth and development inSACU, and support the integration of the region in the global economy.

SACU comprises South African, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.

The region is the largest US export market in sub-Saharan Africa, with two-way trade totaling 7.9 billion US dollars in 2001.

Liser said the agreement would build on Washington's Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. All five SACU countries had already benefited from the US trade preferences under the act.

"This (a free trade pact) offers breakthrough opportunities forSouthern African countries," Liser said, adding that it would alsomake the region more attractive for foreign investors.

Carim, also chief director in South Africa's trade and industrydepartment, said both sides stated their objectives the past week and discussed areas of common interest.

It was agreed issues should be tackled step by step.

There was also consensus that the disparities between the economies of the two camps would be fully recognized.

The negotiations would be guided by the principle of special and differential treatment in favor of the five African countries,Carim said.

Liser said a free trade agreement would promote the objectives of black economic empowerment in South Africa.

"We understand those goals, and we see the two issues working together."

The United States had offered ongoing assistance to improve thetrade capacity of SACU members.

"The end-result should not just a piece of paper. The building of trade capacity in the region will continue," Liser said.

Further talks will be held in August, September and December this year.

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