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For Immediate Release: September 13, 2011
Contact: Tim Truman (202) 482-3809
Senior Commerce Official to Lead Trade Mission to South Africa
WASHINGTON – Michael Camuñez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, will lead the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s trade mission to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, September 19-23, with representatives from 19 U.S. companies.
South Africa is a key “next tier” market where U.S. companies have increasing opportunities in the next five to 10 years. This mission will focus on the sustainable and efficient energy, agriculture, and educational services and skills development sectors in the South African market.
“South Africa represents an incredible opportunity for American businesses,” Camuñez said. “It is the largest African economy and has the most developed and diversified industrial and services sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. The economy is projected to grow by an average of five percent annually during the next decade. In addition, it is a gateway to the rest of Africa, including East Africa, an important emerging region for U.S. investments and exports.”
In addition to leading the mission, Camuñez will meet with South African trade officials about ways to deepen the U.S.-South Africa bilateral trade relationship and to address market access issues.
This trade mission advances President Obama’s National Export Initiative which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014, supporting economic and job growth. The business delegation will have an opportunity to promote its equipment, services, and technologies to foreign businesses, buyers, and governments.
With its robust business and financial sector, its indigenous multinational enterprises, substantial foreign investment, and well-developed infrastructure, South Africa is often seen as the point of access to develop markets throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, U.S. merchandise exports to South Africa totaled $5.6 billion. Through June 2011, U.S. exports to this critical market have increased by more than 65 percent from the same period last year.
The following companies were selected for participation in the trade mission:
- Abound Solar – Loveland, Colo. (Solar Energy)
- Alpha Services – Las Vegas, Nev. (Human Resources)
- Amonix, Inc. – Seal Beach, Calif. (Solar Energy)
- Avcon Industries, Inc. – Newton, Kan. (Aviation)
- Boeing Company – Chicago, Ill. (Aviation)
- Bright Source Energy – Oakland, Calif. (Solar Energy)
- Catalyst Group – Joliet, Ill. (Renewable Energy)
- Comverge – Norcross, Ga. (Renewable Energy)
- David L. Ross and Associates – New York, N.Y. (Financial Services)
- ERAS Group, Inc. – Cary, N.C. (Renewable Energy)
- First Solar – Tempe, Ariz. (Solar Energy)
- Global Solar Energy, Inc. – Tucson, Ariz. (Solar Energy)
- Mesocore – Riviera Beach, Fla. (Energy/Housing)
- One World Clean Energy, Inc. – Louisville, Ky. (Energy/Waste)
- Peddinghaus Corporation – Bradley, Ill. (Construction)
- Qteros – Marlborough, Mass. (Renewable Energy)
- Resolute Marine Energy – Boston, Mass. (Renewable Energy)
- Suniva, Inc. – Norcross, Ga. (Solar Energy)
- Vector Systems, Inc. – McKinney, Texas (Energy Emissions)
The mission will provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information and access to government decision makers. Additionally, one-on-one meetings will be arranged with potential agents, distributors, and partners.
The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has representation across the globe to help businesses start exporting, increase their exports and find business opportunities in foreign countries, leading to job creation in America. ITA also helps ensure a level playing field globally for U.S. businesses.
For additional information, please visit www.export.gov/trademissions###
International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 77 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
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