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16th AGOA Forum AUGUST 7-10, 2017 in Lomé, Togo

16th AGOA Forum AUGUST 7-10, 2017 in Lomé, Togo

 

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Theme:

«The U.S. and Africa : Partnering for Prosperity through Trade»

from 08 to 10 August 2017

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*** 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 the Way Forward

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
Q&A

 
 

 

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

 

 

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