16th AGOA Forum AUGUST 7-10, 2017 in Lomé, Togo
Official AGOA Forum Togo 2017 Website
Official Website of the AGOA CSO Network
Official Website of the AGOA Private Sector event
Civil Society / AWEP Agenda (Draft)
Private Sector Agenda (Draft)
For previous AGOA Forum details, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Theme:
«The U.S. and Africa : Partnering for Prosperity through Trade»
from 08 to 10 August 2017
*** UPDATED DRAFT AGENDAS IN DOWNLOAD SECTION - as of 06 AUGUST 2017 ***
CIVIL SOCIETY AGENDA
Monday, 7 August 2017 |
||
TIME |
VENUE |
|
14 :00 - 16 :00 |
WORKSHOP 1 AGOA Country Utilization Strategy: Country Presentations Planning makes success possible Q&A |
ECOWAS Building Central Lomé, |
16 :00 - 16 :20 |
Coffee Break |
|
16 :30- 18 :00 |
WORKSHOP 2 Building the Infrastructure and Transportation Linkages to Make AGOA Products Competitive Q&A |
|
Tuesday, 8 August 2017 |
||
08 :00 - 08 :30 |
REGISTRATION |
Radisson Blu Hotel |
08 :30 - 10 :00 |
Joint Opening Session Ceremony Civil Society Organization/AWEP and the Private Sector |
Radisson Blu Hotel |
|
||
10 :00 - 10 :20 |
Coffee Break, Group Photo, Networking |
Radisson Blu Hotel |
10 :30 - 12 :00 |
CSO/AWEP Plenary Session Plenary Session 1 Using Fair Trade to Promote AGOA Exports for MSMEs Q&A |
|
12 :15 - 13 :15 |
Lunch |
|
13 :30 - 14 :45 |
Plenary Session 2 Utilizing Micro, Small, Medium Sized Enterprises to Strengthen Regional Integration Q&A |
|
15 :00 - 16 :15 |
Concurrent Workshops Challenges, Best Practices and Recommendations on Textile, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Agric- Industry (value added), |
|
16 :30 - 17:00 |
Recommendations, Review and Communiqué Drafting/Press Conference : |
|
Wednesday, 9 August 2017 |
||
TIME |
VENUE |
|
08:30-10 :00 |
Plenary Session 3 Skills Development Seminar Marketing, Fundraising, Financing, Social Media Q&A |
ECOWAS Building Central Lomé |
10:15-10:20 |
Coffee Break |
|
10:30-12:00 |
Plenary Session 4 Skills Development Training Seminar Packaging, Sales Promotion, Advocacy, Media and Press Relations |
|
TIME |
VENUE |
|
12:15-13:15 |
Lunch |
ECOWAS Building Central Lomé |
13:30-16:00 |
Town Hall Meeting Civil Society and AWEP Discussion on the Way Forward Q&A |
|
Thursday, 10 August 2017 |
||
TIME |
VENUE |
|
10:00-12:00 |
Site Visit to Alaffia Company Headquarters in Lomé, Togo |
Alaffia Headquarters |
PRIVATE SECTOR AGENDA
Enhancing U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment
Lomé, Togo
August 7
Ecobank Transnational | 2365, Boulevard du Mono
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception
August 8
Radisson Blu Hotel 2 Fevrier | Place de l'Independence
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | AGOA Successes/Challenges and the Way Forward
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Trade Act was enacted into law on 18 May 2000. The legislation which was extended for 10 years on June 25, 2015, continues to be the cornerstone of USG economic engagement with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa by providing unilateral market access to the U.S. for qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries. Total African exports under AGOA more than quadrupled since the program’s inception. In recent years, U.S.-Africa two-way trade has accounted for more than $30 billion. This session seeks to highlight the successes and challenges of AGOA across a broad spectrum of sectors. It also looks at the way forward for U.S. and sub-Saharan African economic engagement.
Moderator:
Ikechukwu Ofuani, Senior Manager, Global Government Relations and Public Policy, Procter and Gamble
Panelists:
Pankaj Bedi, CEO, United Aryan Limited
Olivier Bersia, General Manager, Flexknit Madagasgar
Brooke Buchanan, Vice President, Whole Foods Market
Olowo-n’djo Tchala, Founder and CEO, Alaffia
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Tour of the Exhibition Hall
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Logistics, Transport Operations and the Global Supply Chain
Africa’s presence and importance in regional and global supply chains is growing as manufacturers and buyers seek to diversify sourcing and move production to countries that have sufficient inputs and efficient labor supplies. Africa is diversifying its economy from commodity-based production to building industrial and manufacturing capacity and offering attractive incentives designed to increased FDI flows and trade volumes. Moving goods from sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. requires efficient and effective logistics and transport operations, including air transport and port facilities. On time delivery of safe, wholesome and affordable food commodities, including perishable ones, and well-made industrial products is key to ensuring continued market access to the U.S. market. Panelists in this session will discuss efficient and effective supply chain operations, logistics and transport operations.
Moderator:
Vanessa Adams, Chief of Party, USAID, Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub
Panelists:
Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO, Ecobank
Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO, Ethiopian Airlines
Thomas Hardy, Acting Director, USTDA