The 2013 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum which will be held in Ethiopia will be instrumental in strengthening ties between Sub-Saharan African countries, Ethiopian Ministry of Trade (MoT) said.

Ethiopia is preparing to host the 12th AGOA forum which will be held in June 2013.  A delegation from US has recently visited Ethiopia to assess the preparation.

“The forum will help sub Saharan African countries to link up in investment,” Amakele Yimam, Director of Corporate Communication Directorate at Ministry of Trade, told WIC.

AGOA was signed into law by US on May 18, 2000 as The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers incentives, including tariff and quota free exports to US market for 40 Sub-Saharan African countries.

“The forum will create an opportunity for African countries to identify their weaknesses and take advantage of the opportunity,” Amakele said.

The forum is expected to bring together over 600 participants including African and American policy makers.

Amakele said the forum creates an opportunity, particularly, for Ethiopia to promote the country’s products, attract investment, advance a positive image of the country and develop conference tourism.

Source: Walta