President Cyril Ramaphosa has embarked on working visits to the United States of America and the United Kingdom, where he will attend the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ramaphosa departed Wednesday, (14 September 2022), for Washington DC where he will honour an invitation by his US counterpart, President Joe Biden.
“The leaders will meet at the White House on Friday, 16 September, to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, climate change, food security, energy, and peace and security,” said the Presidency.
“‘President Ramaphosa will reaffirm the importance of the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and the US.
“The President will further emphasise the need for enhanced multilateralism and dialogue as the means through which the challenges facing humanity can be addressed.
“These include the urgent need to stimulate economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
In Washington DC, Ramaphosa and his delegation will meet Congressional leaders and the veterans of the Civil Rights Movement who were instrumental in lobbying the American public against apartheid and who remain loyal to the cause of anti-racism in both the US and SA.
The US is a major export market for SA, a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI), technology transfer, development assistance, and tourism.
Trade and investment relations take place under the auspices of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free and quota-free access to the US market for value-added products.
AGOA has created jobs in both SA and the US and is thus mutually beneficial.
The US is South Africa’s third largest trading partner (after China and the European Union), with more than 600 United States companies operating in South Africa.
In 2021, the United States ranked as the second largest destination for SA’s exports globally.
The US accounts for 17.4% of total SA outward FDI to the world, according to the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC).
Ramaphosa’s visit to the US provides a platform for strengthening bilateral relations through the engagement with Biden.
On Saturday, (17 September 2022), Ramaphosa will travel from Washington DC to London in the UK to attend events associated with the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, passed away peacefully at her home in Scotland aged 96 last week on Thursday (8 September 2022).
“Following his arrival in London on Sunday, 18 September, the President will attend The King’s Reception – a reception hosted by His Majesty King Charles III in honour of Heads of State and Government and guests invited to attend the State Funeral Service – at Buckingham Palace,” said the Presidency.
“On Monday, 19 September, the President will be among world leaders attending the State Funeral Service for Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey, London.
“Immediately after the state funeral service, the UK Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, will host a reception for heads of state and government and other distinguished guests in the precincts of Westminster Abbey.”
