LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Parks Tau, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition capped off his week long U.S. trip with a stop here in Southwest Louisiana.
“I think the scale of activity that goes down here is just mind-blowing,” said Tau when describing his first impressions of the area.
The South African-based Sasol plant in Westlake, is one of the largest foreign direct investments in the nation’s history. Tau said he was delighted to see the chemical complex for the first time.
“The size and scale of investment internationally, Lake Charles is the biggest, and certainly, we as a country stand proud to the contribution Sasol has made to flying the flag of South Africa and as a major investor in the U.S.,” he said.
The African Growth and Opportunities Act passed 24 years ago, aimed to improve economic relations between the United States and Africa, and with Southwest Louisiana being on the forefront of South Africa’s and the United State’s chemical business, our region plays a huge role in making sure both countries benefit.
“Those type of resources contributed to not just our local economy but they’ve exported this capability throughout the world.”
And with all this growth comes pollution, and Tau says South Africa is committed and has in obligation in regulating the dangerous pollutants that may arise in the chemical industry.
“We have a strict and controlled regulated system that ensures compliance with environmental impact assessment, mitigation measures, reapplication measures, and instances where pollution is impacting particular sites and communities.”
And his visit is not done just yet, as Tau and his team are excited to try another one of Louisiana’s assets… the food!
“I’m looking forward to the good food that everyone talks about (according) to the people I met, so we are looking forward to it.”
Tau was previously mayor of Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, and served in South Africa’s National Government.
Tau was recently appointed the country’s minister of trade.
Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.
This article was originally published by a www.kplctv.com . Read the Original article here. .