In April 2010, Ms Clinton and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane signed a memorandum of understanding, laying out a framework for strategic dialogue between the US and South Africa. The strategic dialogue reinforces cooperation in key areas, such as health, education, food security, law enforcement, trade, investment, energy, and nonproliferation but it by no means constrains the other areas.

The US continues to support South Africa’s domestic priorities and has sought to align its assistance programmes and projects with South Africa’s national priorities. The US is currently the third largest trading partner for South Africa, as well as a significant investor. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) provide many South African exports with duty-free access to the US and has favorably contributed to a trade surplus with the USA. AGOA is due for renewal in 2015.

South Africa Tourism and Beijing Axis (a China-focused international advisory firm operating in four principal areas: commodities, capital, procurement and strategies) presented strategies on economic and tourism opportunities in the region.