Seventh U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum

The seventh U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (“the African Growth and Opportunity Act [AGOA] Forum”) with the theme of "Mobilizing Private Investment for Trade and Growth" will take place in Washington, D.C., July 14 to 16, 2008. Discussions will focus on the linkages between private investment and economic growth in Africa and highlight ways in which African countries can best take advantage of trade opportunities under AGOA. This event will bring together senior U.S. administration officials and African government ministers, as well as U.S. and African members of the private sector and civil society. The ministerial plenary sessions will be held on July 15 at the Department of State. In addition, representatives of civil society and the private sector will host related events on July 14 and 16. Senior officials from more than 10 U.S. Government agencies are expected to attend.

AGOA represents a progressive U.S. trade and investment policy toward the continent that is reducing barriers to trade, increasing diversified exports, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for Africans. Specifically, AGOA provides trade preferences to designated countries that are making progress in economic and political reforms. With the recent addition of Togo and the Union of the Comoros, there are currently 41 Sub-Saharan African countries that can take advantage of the trade benefits.