SA HAS resolved all outstanding issues pertaining to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), guaranteeing the country access benefits until 2025, the Department of Trade and Industry said on Thursday.Issues relating to meats — including chicken — had been resolved, paving way for continued preferential access into the US market for the duration of Agoa.SA appears to have managed to mend trade relations with the US, which reached a low last year when President Barack Obama issued a proclamation compelling SA to open its markets, especially for chicken, or lose market access benefits it enjoyed through Agoa."The US and SA continue to enjoy strong economic relations with total trade among the two countries at R155bn in 2015. The priority remains leveraging market access opportunities that arise from Agoa," department officials said.It also said there were presently no discussions within the Southern African Customs Union on any free trade agreement with the US."Discussions are o...
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