Johannesburg, South Africa – South Africa is set to host the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum from November 2-4, 2023, in Johannesburg. The Forum is expected to bring together a large number of African Trade Ministers and their delegations, as well as members of the US Congress, businesspeople, and labor representatives from both the United States and South Africa.
The theme of this year’s forum is “Partnering to Build a Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Agenda to Support Economic Development, Industrialization, and Quality Job Creation.” AGOA is a US trade program that provides eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa with preferential access to US markets. It aims to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and foster a stronger trade partnership between the United States and African nations.
The AGOA Forum will consist of a number of events, including a formal forum with representatives of governments, business, and labor; a forum of African Trade Ministers; a private sector forum; a labor forum; a civil society forum; and forums on competition policy, trade administration, technical standards, and development finance. There will also be an industrial exhibition as well as cultural events such as a display of African history, film, and music.
The AGOA Forum is an important opportunity for African and US leaders to discuss ways to expand trade and investment relations between the two regions. It is also a chance to showcase the progress that has been made under AGOA and to identify new areas for cooperation.
South Africa is the biggest trade partner of the United States in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is a major beneficiary of AGOA. In 2022, South African exports to the US under AGOA totaled $9.7 billion. The Forum is expected to boost trade and investment between the two countries even further.
The AGOA Forum is also expected to have a positive impact on the South African economy. The forum is expected to generate an estimated R1 billion ($62 million) in economic benefits for the country. It will also create jobs and promote tourism.
The South African government is confident that the AGOA Forum will be a success. It has taken steps to reduce barriers to trade and improve the business environment. The government is also working to ensure that the forum is well organized and that delegates have a positive experience.
The AGOA Forum is a major event for Africa and the United States. It is an opportunity to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two regions and to promote economic growth and development.
