Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim hosts members of the US Congress delegation, 20 August 2009

Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim today, Thursday 20 August 2009, hosted a congressional delegation (CODEL) from the US who is on a visit to South Africa from 19 – 21 August 2009. The CODEL consists of Representatives G. Butterfield, L. Clay, G. Moore and S. Cohen and their visit follows shortly after the recent visit to South Africa by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The CODEL is specifically interested in trade and investment issues. This visit therefore reinforces Secretary Clinton’s message that the US regards South Africa as “one of the most important emerging economies” in the world today and that the US wishes to work with South Africa to develop closer trade and economic ties.

The focus of South Africa is on the creation of trade and economic opportunities to encourage job creation. The objective is that the USA should become South Africa’s partner in dealing with the priority issues of unemployment, job creation, rural development, Justice, energy co-operation and food security. 

CODEL’s other engagements include meetings the Gauteng MEC’S for Finance and Economic Development, a working lunch hosted by Deputy Minister Nel of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in Cape Town on Friday 21 August 2009. The lunch will also be attended by Mr Nxesi of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation and Ms Louise of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry.   

For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0002

20 August 2009