PRETORIA, South Africa, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- South Africa's Business Unity SA has set up a partnership with U.S. businesses that includes the energy and power sectors.
The Corporate Council for Africa brokered the agreement.
On Thursday the South African Press Association reported that the agreement had been signed in Washington after two days of discussions on trade and investment.
BUSA Chief Executive Officer Jerry Vilakazi said, "There is a new momentum in the bilateral relationship between South Africa and the U.S. As the private sector, we have recognized the need to escalate our engagement and we look forward to working with CCA in this regard. Both governments expressed their strong support for strengthened cooperation between the South African and American business communities. Not only will this benefit the two countries directly but there is considerable scope for cooperation on the rest of the African continent. Specific issues were identified for further discussion in five key sectors -- energy/power, infrastructure, health, IT and financial services."
BUSA and the CCA co-hosted the U.S.-South Africa Business Dialogue on the sidelines of the seventh biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Both South Africa's Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ambassador Johnnie Carson addressed the gathering.
