RYAN TRADE MISSION TO HELP OPEN ILLINOIS TO AFRICAN MARKETS

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan and First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan will lead an eight-day trade mission to the Republic of South Africa to help Illinois businesses develop new trading relationships and business agreements in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.

The trade mission will depart Illinois on May 22 and return on May 29. During the trip, the delegation of business leaders, state officials and staff, agricultural experts, representatives of the arts and Illinois media will visit Johannesburg, Pretoria and historic Cape Town.

Ryan will officially open the new Illinois Trade Office in Johannesburg, which will be administered by former state Rep. Monica Faith Stewart. Ryan said the new trade office will help Illinois businesses gain a solid foothold in South Africa, but also help establish ties in other sub-Saharan nations on the continent.

"Africa is one of the fastest growing markets in the world economy and the key to that market is South Africa. In the last three years, South Africa's progressive government has expanded economic growth from less than one percent in 1998 to almost 4 percent this year. South Africa generates more than 45 percent of the entire continent's gross domestic product," Ryan said.

"The time is right for Illinois to help our domestic businesses and industries find their niche in South Africa. We have much to offer - agricultural products, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals, computer and communication technology and some of the best international financial services available to help businesses grow."

The governor added that legislation pending in Congress, The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, will help United States companies in the near future by solidifying and easing trade and investment policies between the U.S. and African nations. The bill has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.

"This is the perfect time to expand our activities in South Africa and on the whole continent," Ryan said. "I want Illinois to be a leader in the world marketplace and we can't sit back and let other states take the initiative."

In 1999, Illinois companies exported $272.5 million worth of goods to South Africa, led by $137 million worth of industrial machinery and computer hardware. Ryan said there is room to improve these export totals, especially in the areas of agricultural products and food, electronics and pharmaceuticals.

In addition to the business "matchmaking" sessions and conferences, the delegates will attend and participate in a number of cultural events that will introduce the people of Illinois and South Africa to each other's art, music and dance. Several members of Chicago's renowned Hubbard Street Dance Company will stage special performances during the trip.