AGOA forum to promote trade relations, enhance competitiveness

Addis Ababa, 08 June 2011 (ECA) - The 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum will be held in Lusaka, Zambia on 8 - 10 June 2011 on the theme: Enhanced Trade through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.

According to the Africa Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the Economic Commission for Africa, (ECA), the AGOA Forum is the only annual U.S.  Ministerial  forum convened by the United States with Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This forum serves as an opportunity for the United States and African nations to have a dialogue on all the issues that contribute to long-term development and growth, including good governance and sound economic policies," says Stephen Karingi, Acting Head of the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD). 

“In this time of economic crisis, it is important that the United States and Africa work cooperatively, as major trading partners. It is in our interest to protect economic growth, advances made, and to lessen the negative impact of market fluctuations, “ he adds.

In addition to government ministries and departments of commerce from eligible African countries and from the United States, civil society actors as well as researchers will be in attendance. The private sector is expected to be well represented at all levels. According to Karingi, Micro and Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) will participate at the Forum.

"Women business leaders will represent countries eligible to benefit from AGOA", says Karingi. He explains that the AGOA Africa Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) is a unique leadership program coinciding with the AGOA Ministerial Forum