Luanda - Angola takes part in the 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum that started Wednesday in Washington, United States, which is analyzing the link between this law and the African Continental Free Trade Zone (AfCFTA).
The Angolan delegation is headed by the President's aide for Economic Affairs, Milton Reis, whose agenda includes meetings with bank executives and finance, with emphasis on the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, with whom he expects to discuss aspects related to bilateral cooperation and ways of improving AGOA programs.
A note from the Angolan Embassy in the US sent to ANGOP states that the meeting aims to boost economic and inclusive growth and create conditions for strengthening regional integration, allowing African countries to take better advantage of AGOA.
Milton Reis will also take part in a round table at the US Chamber with his associates in the different sectors, aimed at discussing the extension of AGOA and strengthening the trade and investment relationship between the US and Angola, in strategic and priority areas for both countries, as well as creating conditions to explore the two markets.
The Angolan representative's presence at the private round table is the result of an invitation from the president of the US-Africa Business Center of the US Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, the statement said.
Over the course of three days, the participants in the forum, which was opened by the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, will also evaluate the implementation of the AGOA program, discuss its extension for another 15 years, the renewal of the Act, practical improvements, as well as the initiatives of the regional economic communities in favor of inclusive trade and sustainable development.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was created in 2000 with a 10-year validity extended to 2025, and its main objective is to open up the American market to African countries, creating opportunities for exporting products to the US duty-free.
AGOA aims to promote economic growth through good governance and free markets, and has held alternating forums each year between the African continent and the US to assess the project's progress.
In November 2023 the meeting took place in South Africa. VC/AMP
