TOP RANKING US TREASURY OFFICIAL TO ASSESS AFRICA'S POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Wed Oct 21, 2009

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin, the No. 2 official in the Treasury Department, will travel to Africa next week to discuss strategies to reduce poverty and boost African economic growth, the Treasury said on Wednesday.

Wolin will visit Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, marking the first visit to Africa by a senior U.S. Treasury official since the Obama administration took office in January.

Wolin will meet with senior government officials in Kigali, Dar Es Salaam, Johannesburg and Pretoria where he will highlight U.S.-African partnerships and President Barack Obama's commitments to advance food security and growth from sustainable agriculture.

"The global financial crisis proved -- if any one still doubted it -- that the economies of the world are inextricably intertwined," Wolin said in a statement. "This trip will serve as an important opportunity to engage with our partners in Africa and discuss how we can best work together to promote strong, sustainable growth in years to come."

He also will discuss strategies to bolster Africa's infrastructure, strengthen its financial sector and improve its investment climate, the Treasury said.

Wolin, a veteran Treasury official during the Clinton administration who later served as a top executive for insurance giant The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HIG.N), has heavily concentrated on financial regulatory reform legislation since he was confirmed in May.

More details regarding Wolin's public schedule in Africa will be made available in coming days, the Treasury said. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Kenneth Barry)