South Africa’s (SA) Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, says the country will head to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in January with a clear message: SA is open for business and ready for investment.
Speaking at a pre-WEF business breakfast, Godongwana said trade negotiations with the United States (US) are progressing well. He confirmed that government is finalising the appointment of a new SA Ambassador to Washington to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
He also addressed SA’s temporary exclusion from the G20 during the US Presidency next year, saying the decision is linked to tensions over Washington’s criticism of SA’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Godongwana stressed that this does not signal a breakdown in relations, noting that SA will return to the G20 in 2027 when the United Kingdom (UK) assumes the Presidency.
“We are in intense trade negotiations with the US, and those talks are going very well. What may be causing friction is their view on what they are calling genocide, which has led to us not being accredited for the G20 under the US Presidency. It doesn’t mean a fallout. Member states will decide what happens. If we are excluded in 2026, the 2027 G20 is hosted by the UK, and we’ll resume our seat then,” said Godongwana.
–ChannelAfrica–
