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The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) considers the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) to be the most important U.S. - Africa trade act ever passed by the U.S. Congress. 
 

2009 AGOA Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, August 3-6, 2009


The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will act as U.S. private sector coordinator for the 8th Annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Private Sector Forum at the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya from August 3-6, 2009. The theme for this year’s forum is “Realizing the Full Potential of AGOA through Expansion of Trade and Investment.”

Since its inception in 2001, CCA has been an active supporter of AGOA at all levels, from leading AGOA Forum steering committee meetings to partnering with the State Department in its AGOA Professional Development Program. CCA has played a central role on the American side in every AGOA Forum. Read more...

For more information on the AGOA Private Sector Forum in Kenya, including registration requirements, agenda, and suggested accommodation options, visit www.agoaforumkenya.go.ke.

About AGOA

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law by the U.S. on May 18, 2000 as Title 1 of The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets. Participation in AGOA requires that beneficiary countries commit themselves to the establishment of a market-based economy, the rule of law and policies to reduce poverty.

To learn more, visit www.agoa.gov

The United States and Africa: Policy Recommendations from the American Private Sector for the Obama Administration

In March 2009, CCA released and issued a report from the American Private sector to the Obama Administration on future U.S. policy toward Africa. The recommendations included strategies to expand AGOA to include additional product coverage, and provide infrastructure support to beneficiaries to improve capacity and to produce a broader array of AGOA–eligible products. Read more>>

2008 Annual Report to U.S. Congress

The annual report to Congress provides an overview of the U.S. trade and investment relationship with sub-Saharan African countries, describes trade capacity building and other technical assistance programs in support of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) objectives, and summarizes developments in sub-Saharan African countries related to AGOA’s eligibility criteria.
 

  • In 2007 there were 40 sub-Saharan African countries eligible for African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) benefits, the highest number ever

  • In 2007, U.S. total exports to sub-Saharan Africa totaled $14.4 billion, more than double the amount in 2001

  • While petroleum products accounted for the largest portion of AGOA imports, non-oil AGOA trade totaled $3.4 billion in 2007; more than double the amount in 2001.

2006 AGOA Forum - The Fifth Private Sector Session - June 5, 2006 Washington, D.C.

  • CCA and its partners will convene the 2006 AGOA Private Sector Forum in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 2006

  • The annual Ministerial meetings between the U.S. government and the 37 African countries eligible under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), will take place in Washington, D.C. from June 6-7, 2006

  • Forum will focus on sectors where U.S.-Africa trade can most easily and quickly be increased, for example: agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing and apparel

  • The forum will also emphasize project financing
     

AGOA: A Five-Year Assessment Congressional Testimony by President Stephen Hayes, Oct. 20, 2005
 

 

2005 AGOA Forum - The Fourth Private Sector Session - Dakar, Senegal

  • CCA was joined by fellow co-chairs, the African Business Roundtable and APIX, Senegal. The Whitaker Group served as the Private Sector Forum Secretariat

  • CCA presented a synthesis on the findings of the 2005 U.S.-Africa Business Summit as these related to AGOA to Private Sector Forum participants in Dakar

  • The annual Ministerial meetings between the U.S. government and the 37 African countries eligible under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), will take place in Washington, D.C. from June 6-7, 2006
     

2003 AGOA Forum - The Third Private Sector Session - Washington, D.C.

  • CCA and the AGOA Steering Committee held the 2003 Private Sector Session of the AGOA Forum on December 8 and 9, 2003, in Washington, D.C.

  • Focused on crucial policy questions confronting AGOA, including the future of AGOA and how to make AGOA more active in a wider number of sectors

  • Workshops examined these questions in the following sectors: agriculture and agribusiness; handicrafts; and textiles and apparel
     

Other 2003 Activities

  • CCA Promotes AGOA in the Congos: The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) presented two seminars in May 2003 month on export opportunities under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Click here for more information.

 

2002 AGOA Forum - The Second Private Sector Session - Mauritius

  • CCA co-hosted the hugely successful AGOA Forum in Mauritius from January 13-17, 2003.

  • Keynote speakers included the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Zoellick, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius Right Honorable Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and a special video address from the President of the U.S. George W. Bush
     

The AGOA Professional Development Program

  • The AGOA Professional Development Program (APD) was a state department grant administered by the Corporate Council on Africa, consisting of six intensive study courses on AGOA in the U.S. for 58 pre-selected African business and public sector leaders. These courses were followed by 16 workshops in Africa that explained the benefits of AGOA to additional African business and government leaders.

AGOA at the 2001 Summit

  • In October 2001 CCA organized "AGOA at the Summit" as part of its biennial U.S.- Africa Business Summit featuring:

  • Seven AGOA focused workshops

  • Speakers from the U.S. and African public and private sectors such as Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Walter Kansteiner, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Rosa Whitaker, Minister of Trade of Mauritius Jayan Cuttarree and former Chairman and CEO of Mast Industries/The Limited Martin Trust

  • At this year's U.S.- African Business Summit, CCA plans to have a whole workshop tract dedicated to promoting AGOA and assisting in the implementation of the Act

More Information on AGOA


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Tel: (202) 835-1115 Fax: (202) 835-1117 E-mail: cca@africacncl.org