Washington, DC – U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead the U.S. delegation at the 2017 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, held August 8-10 in Lomé, Togo.
Established by AGOA law, the annual forum provides a platform for promoting stronger economic ties between the United States and qualifying sub-Saharan African countries that receive enhanced U.S. market access under AGOA.
“The AGOA Forum represents an important opportunity to demonstrate the Trump Administration’s commitment to Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “I look forward to engaging trading partners on our commitment to a stronger and more sustainable relationship with Africa through free, fair, and reciprocal trade.”
The theme of this year’s Forum is “The United States and Africa: Partnering for Prosperity through Trade.” The Forum begins with events incorporating private sector, civil society, and U.S.-sponsored African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) participants, followed by two days of ministerial plenaries with representatives from the United States and the 38 African beneficiary countries.
Led by Ambassador Lighthizer, the U.S. delegation will include senior officials from the U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and Transportation, as well as other U.S. government agencies and Congress.
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