Today, in Kampala, Uganda Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis led the U.S. delegation for the United States-East African Community (EAC) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting. The TIFA Council meeting provided a forum for advancing cooperation on trade and investment issues between the United States and the five EAC member states - Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
During the TIFA meeting, Ambassador Marantis examined U.S. and EAC work on implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and issues related to market access, trade capacity building, the financial sector, agricultural trade, and the business environment.
In addition to the TIFA Council meeting, Ambassador Marantis held bilateral meetings with Ugandan government officials and Ugandan and U.S. private sector representatives to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.-Ugandan trade relationship.
During his visit, Ambassador Marantis delivered a well-received speech on U.S.-African trade and investment at Uganda's prestigious Makerere University. Following the speech, Ambassador Marantis held an active discussion and answer session with students and faculty from the university. The full text of the speech can be read here.
