South African Telecommunications Officials To Visit U.S.

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. ó A delegation of nine senior officials from the newly formed South African Telecommunications Regulator Authority (SATRA) will be in the United States, June 14-28, 1997, for a reverse trade mission sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). They will meet with officials from the Federal Communications Commission, and several U.S. telecommunications firms in Washington, D.C., Richardson, Tex., and San Francisco, Calf. The delegation will be led by SATRA chairman Mr. Nape Maepa.

The visit is an extension of the bi-annual meeting between Vice President Al Gore and South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.

"The purpose of the mission is to introduce SATRA officials to U.S. executives so our companies may develop relationships and get the information they need to do business in the South African telecommunications market," says TDA Director J. Joseph Grandmaison. "Export and investment opportunities for U.S. firms in South Africa are substantial. We want to assist SATRA in planning the development of its regulatory policy and identify specific areas where U.S. goods and services can play a key role."

U.S. firms are invited to participate in a one day business briefing in Washington, D.C. on Friday, June 20, 1997, which will include one-on-one meetings with the visiting delegates. Companies wishing to attend should contact the visit coordinator, Cory Fellows of the Institute for Public-Private Partnerships, 202-466- 8930.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, based in Rosslyn, Va., is an independent federal agency that assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. TDA provides American firms with market entry, exposure and information through the funding of feasibility studies, technical assistance, and reverse trade missions. These efforts help American businesses establish a position in markets that are otherwise difficult to penetrate. For more information, contact Donald Dunn at TDA, 703-875-4357 or visit the TDA web site at www.tda.gov.

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