Pretoria - The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) and the US started talks on a free trade agreement here yesterday, saying the accord could be finalised within 18 months.

New rail strategy in Eastern Cape to bring heavy haulers on track, and link up with the port and planned industrial zone in East London

SA BUSINESSMEN appear unhappy that the other Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) countries Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland are joining SA in free trade negotiations with the US, South American members of Mercosur, India and Nigeria, among others.

South African companies are well-positioned to capitalise on consultancy opportunities in Africa, but they should transfer skills when they win the contract, writes columnist Andrew Maggs.