Trade VP: US watching SAfrica Wal-Mart appeal

[February 17, 2012]  JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Whether Wal-Mart ultimately succeeds in buying a controlling share of a major South African chain could affect whether other Americans come to do business on the continent, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce official said Thursday.

An appeals board for South Africa's Competition Tribunal is currently considering challenges made by agencies and unions who question the approval of Wal-Mart's bid. The government agency is charged with discouraging monopolies and protecting consumers.

Myron Brilliant, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's international division, said Americans are closely watching the issue.

"How Wal-Mart is treated does have some bearing on how potential investors look at the continent," said Brilliant, who was leading a chamber team visiting South Africa this week.

According to South African government figures, total U.S.-South African trade last year was more than 100 billion rand (about $13 billion), compared to 173 billion rand (about $23 billion) with China.

Brilliant described South Africa as a gateway to the rest of Africa, and he said increasing trade between the U.S. and South Africa could create jobs in both countries.

Both countries "want growth. We want to see economic growth, and we want to see job growth," Brilliant said. "The message is clear: Jobs, jobs, jobs."

Unemployment in the U.S. in January was 8.3 percent. In South Africa, unemployment figures of 23.9 percent released earlier this month for the end of 2011 were applauded, because that represented the biggest growth in employment for South Africa since its 2009 recession.

Earlier this month, South Africa's president announced ambitious infrastructure projects. Brilliant said American companies will want some of the business that is likely to generate. But they needed reassurance.

"There's been some uncertainty about the direction of the government," he said.

On mining, South African policy makers have repeatedly said nationalization is not on the agenda. But some within the governing African National Congress party continue to raise the issue, and Brilliant said he may not be able to take a clear answer back to investors after his first trip to South Africa.

Brilliant said he also needed to learn more about the reality of a labor force with a reputation of being quick to strike. But he noted a number of U.S. countries are already working in South Africa, proof that management-labor issues can be resolved.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls itself the world's largest business organization, representing more than 3 million businesses ranging from small shops to international corporations.

[Associated Press; By DONNA BRYSON]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.