2011 AGOA Forum on U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation
On June 9-10, 2011, Zambia will host the 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, the centerpiece of the United States Government's trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa. The 2011 Forum marks the 10th year that government officials, business leaders, and civil society from African countries and the United States will convene to promote trade, business, and investment opportunities that sustain economic development in Africa. The 2011 Forum’s theme is “Enhanced Trade Through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.”
During the conference, there will be sessions for the private sector and civil society as well as involvement of participants of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). AWEP is an outreach, education, and engagement initiative that aims to empower African women entrepreneurs to become voices of change in their communities. Young business leaders will also take part in activities around AGOA. The civil society and private sector participants will hold separate pre-conference meetings on June 6th and then present their findings to the ministerial meetings starting the subsequent day.
The AGOA Forum brings together over 600 participants, including senior U.S. and African officials, as well as U.S. and African members of the private sector and civil society. AGOA represents a progressive U.S. trade and investment policy toward the continent working to reduce barriers to trade, increase diversified exports, create jobs and expand opportunities for Africans. AGOA provides trade preferences to 37 sub-Saharan African countries that are making progress in economic and political reforms.
AGOA Forum and Efforts To Reauthorize the Act
Assistant Secretary Carson (June 2): "AGOA is our most significant and important trade policy document. And we hope that by using this forum in Lusaka, we can help to promote greater trade between the United States and Africa. We believe that it is only through investment, trade, economic activity generated by the private sector that Africa will be able to realize its enormous economic potential. We want to be a part of Africa’s growth and Africa’s ability to realize that potential, and we hope that we can continue to work with African countries to utilize all of the benefits that exist. " Full Text» AGOA Pre-Forum Event»
AGOA Forum Briefing
Assistant Secretary Carson (June 1): "AGOA is an important part of the overall engagement of the United States with Africa. We seek to help the nations of sub-Saharan Africa become important partners in the global economy, and the trade opportunities offered under AGOA provide the means to help that happen. Just as Africa can profit from taking further advantage of AGOA opportunities, stronger economies and markets in Africa offer opportunities for American companies and workers as well." Full Text»
Travel of Ambassador Melanne S. Verveer to Zambia
June 7: Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, will travel to Lusaka, Zambia on June 8-10 to participate in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. Media Note»
Assistant Secretary Fernandez Travels to South Africa and Zambia
June 3: Assistant Secretary Fernandez will travel to South Africa from June 6 to 7 and to Zambia from June 8 to 9. Media Note»
2011 AGOA Forum: Building on Increased U.S.-African Trade
June 2: In a short time, AGOA has helped increase two-way trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa to $82 billion, and greatly diversified the range of products being traded. Fact Sheet»
U.S.-Africa Trade and the AGOA Forum Event
Assistant Secretary Carson (May 13): "We need to maintain and improve upon AGOA today in order to continue to play a role in the growing dynamism in Africa tomorrow." Full Text»
