African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) met for their 10th annual conference in Lusaka on 8th June 2011. Over 3000 members of governments, private sectors and the civil societies of the United States and Africa met in Lusaka for three days. The forum was focused on discussing ways of strengthening trade between the United States and Sub-Sahara Africa.
Among the U.S senior officials, the country was honoured to receive US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and US Deputy Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis.
AGOA was established on May 18, 2000 with the objective of encouraging as well as offering tangible incentives to African countries who continue to offer and build free markets in the United States. Exports made to the United States through AGOA are subject to zero duty, which encourages continued business relations between the United States and Sub-Sahara Africa.
A strong relationship with the United States not only provides a greater opportunity for Zambia and other countries to expand their economies but also provides the US with a platform to empower countries to expand their cultural qualities and heritage in international circles.
Sources:
www.agoa.info
www.agoa.gov
www.one.org/blog/2011/06/07/one-heads-to-zambia-for-the-agoa-conference
www.dictionary.com