Export-Import Bank of the United States

Office of Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2003

Recommendations by the African and American public and private sector attendees at a recent "Africa Air Cargo Transport Roundtable" in Washington, DC are being presented at the January 15-17 Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Mauritius. The recommendations call for the prioritization for the development of direct Africa-US airline cargo service and the extension of AGOA.

The roundtable report said, "as success continues with Sub-Saharan African manufactured and agricultural products entering the U.S. market, direct air cargo service between the two continents becomes more necessary and economically viable." 

Other recommendations for action that the group would like considered at the 2003 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum include:

• Creating a public/private sector council in African countries that can serve as regional hubs specifically addressing the transportation infrastructure of each AGOA eligible country.
• Promoting direct air cargo service between African countries/regions as part of a growing economic corridor.
• Working with government and private sectors in each country on airport infrastructure improvements, including: telecommunications and information technology (IT).
• Addressing safety and security, including air traffic control e.g. Safe Skies compliance and a goal of achieving Category 1 designation where needed.
• Encouraging African governments to ensure compliance with AGOA standards to develop investment.
• Expanding the role of U.S. government agencies in supporting and promoting economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Export-Import Bank, U.S. Trade and Development Agency and Department of Transportation sponsored event that produced these recommendations featured participants from a cross section of African and American specialists representing public policy makers, airport and civil aviation officials, airline carriers, freight forwarders, and representatives of the perspective or potential buyers and sellers, and international financial institutions.

A copy of the report is available on line at: http://www.exim.gov/products/special/africa/aircargo.pdf