SA deepens business ties with US at UN General Assembly

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said South Africa was strengthening trade and investment ties with the US, following a series of high-level engagements with US companies, lawmakers and government officials in New York last week.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and included a South Africa-US Trade and Investment Dialogue, convened by the US Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business advocacy organisation.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the engagements demonstrated growing confidence in South Africa's economic reforms and its long-term growth prospects.

"The optimistic, future-focused tone of this important engagement underscored how, beyond the headlines and debates around trade policy and political frictions, US and South African businesses are forging ahead," he said.

"Many US companies already have operations in South Africa, while others expressed keen interest in investing. All commended the reforms being undertaken by government and the prospects for growth in our economy."