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

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will open the ministerial plenary sessions of the seventh U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum) on July 15, at 9:00 a.m. The forum will take place in the Loy Henderson Auditorium at the U.S. Department of State.

This year’s theme is Mobilizing Private Investment for Trade and Growth. The event will bring together senior U.S. officials and African government ministers, as well as U.S. and African members of the private sector and civil society. U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Henrietta Fore, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and Overseas Private Investment Corporation CEO Robert Mosbacher, Jr. are among those who have confirmed their participation.

This event is open for press coverage.

Pre-set time for cameras: 8:15 a.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance
Final access time for writers and still photographers: 8:45 a.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance

NOTE: See attached sheet for more information on open press events during the AGOA Forum.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. government-issued identification card (State Department, White House, Congress, Defense Department, Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identity card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport).

PRESS CONTACTS:
William Strassberger, Bureau of African Affairs, (202) 663-0500; or
Office of Press Relations, U.S. Department of State (202) 647-2492.

The following sessions are open to the media to observe during opening presentations only. Media will not have the opportunity to ask questions, and will be escorted out prior to discussions by participants. Media representatives are asked to gather at the 23^rd Street entrance at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the breakout sessions and the afternoon plenary.

Press Contact for the following open press events:
William Strassberger, Bureau of African Affairs (202) 663-0500

9:30
Plenary, Improving the Investment Climate and Expanding Trade
(Loy Henderson Auditorium)
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab
Honorable Daniel Neo Moroka, Minister of Trade and Industry, Botswana

11:00
Breakout session, Agricultural Productivity and Investment (USDA and USAID)
(Dean Acheson Auditorium)
USDA Under Secretary Dr. Mark Keenum
Honorable Ramakrishna Sithanen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mauritius

Breakout session, Investment Challenges in Manufacturing: Textiles and Beyond (USTR)
(Loy Henderson Auditorium)
Florie Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa
Honorable Mandisi Mpahlwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, Republic of South Africa

2:15
Plenary session, Mobilizing Capital
(Loy Henderson Auditorium)
Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank
Tom Gibian, Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Capital Partners

3:00
Breakout session, Funding for SMEs (USAID)
(Dean Acheson Auditorium)
Franklin C. Moore, Deputy Assistant Administrator
James Polan, VP SME Funding, OPIC

Breakout session, Financing Infrastructure in Africa-POWER (Export-Import Bank)
(Loy Henderson Auditorium)
J. Joseph Grandmaison, Board Member, Ex-Im Bank
Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairman, African Union