For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 15, 2003
Fact Sheet: U.S. - Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Forum
Policy Accomplishments and Initiatives (pdf)
"America is committed to building on the great success of AGOA.
One important way we can do this is to give business the confidence to
invest in Africa, knowing the law's benefits will continue long into
the future. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that I will ask the
United States Congress to extend AGOA beyond 2008."
President George W. Bush
January 15, 2003
President Bush addressed, via video, the delegates of the second
U.S. - Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum (AGOA Forum), and
pledged his Administration's commitment to work with the United States
Congress to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),
scheduled to expire in 2008.
In May 2000, the United States Congress passed AGOA with strong
bipartisan support, and the legislation mandated an annual Forum that
would discuss ways to enhance the U.S. - Sub-Saharan African trade and
economic relationship. Last fall, the Secretaries of State, Treasury,
and Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative issued
invitations to their ministerial counterparts from 36 eligible
Sub-Saharan African countries to attend the Forum on January 15-17,
2003. This year, the AGOA Forum is being held in Mauritius, marking
the first AGOA Forum in Africa. The business and NGO communities are
holding meetings with their African counterparts in conjunction with
the AGOA Forum.
The focus of the Forum is to discuss further measures that the U.S.
and Sub-Saharan African nations can jointly take to stimulate economic
growth and trade, enhance democracy and good governance, and combat
HIV/AIDS -- all key ingredients in a strong poverty alleviation program
for Africa.
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USTR Zoellick is leading the United States delegation, with senior
representatives from the Departments of State, Treasury, Agriculture,
and Commerce, and USAID.
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President Bush addressed the delegates, via video, at the
U.S.-hosted reception on the evening of January 15.
Members of Congress and Congressional staff, led by Chairman Bill
Thomas, House Ways and Means Committee, will be represented in the
plenary sessions and will tour local factories to see the successes of
AGOA.
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