United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk arrived today in Nairobi, Kenya for the 8th Annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum from August 4-6. Topics of discussion will involve issues and strategies for advancing trade, investment, and economic development in Africa, as well as ways that both Africa and the U.S. can benefit from mutual trade.
While in Nairobi, Ambassador Kirk will meet with sub-Saharan African trade ministers as well as representatives from the private sectors and civil societies. On Wednesday, August 5, 2009, Ambassador Kirk will co-lead a plenary session titled, "Possible Effects of Global Challenges on AGOA: Laying the Groundwork for the Next Wave of Growth and Beyond" with President Donald Kaberuka of the African Development Bank. Also on Wednesday, Ambassador Kirk and Dr. Mary M. Nagu, Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing of Tanzania, will lead a trade ministers' roundtable discussion on World Trade Organization issues, regional trade integration, and other topics.