Kingdom Business Solutions managing director Patience Adjei says local companies should adopt the globalisation concept to export competitive products and make in-roads into the world's niche markets.

Adjei said that business forums and trade promoting programmes such as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have the potential to diversify the economy if manufacturers elevate their operational platform and upgrade production lines according to global standards. She was speaking as countries brace themselves for the 2005 Africa Expo that will be held in Atlanta from next month.

The organisers of the expo said it is designed to provide local manufacturers with world standard benchmarks for their products. Equally, the primary objective of the expo lies in promoting inter-regional trade and investment between Africa and the US.

Adjei added that the expo's vision is to present Africa as a dynamic trade and investment destination endowed with diverse raw materials and finished products conforming to international standards.

The event will also provide African-based enterprises with the opportunity to promote Africa's potential as a business destination, tap international expertise and discover lucrative markets for their products.

The theme for this year's expo: "Beyond the Boundaries", underscores the hidden potential that the international community has discovered in African products and raw materials. Botswana, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda will be showcasing their business and investment opportunities in Africa at the international forum.

Expo Africa Limited is an international event management company that uses its expertise to project and promote African countries and businesses globally.

The company also promotes partnerships between governments and businesses through exhibitions, conferences, seminars and concerts around the world.

The event will also enable incumbents to establish their company brands in the American market; make business contacts with other African countries and take advantage of industry specific matching sessions.

The US State Department, US Corporate Council on Africa, Offices of the Mayor of Atlanta and Governor, Georgia, AGOA, New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD), African Union (AU) and the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) are among the institutional collaborators of the expo.

Companies that participate in the expo as exhibitors or sponsors stand to benefit through interacting with potential trading partners and conclude export or import deals. The event will also enable incumbents to establish their company brands in the American market; make business contacts with other African countries and take advantage of industry specific matching sessions.

Some of the companies that will participate in the expo are from sectors like mining, construction, travel and tourism, agro processing, information technology, food industry, textiles and garments. Others will be from financial services, health and pharmaceuticals, furniture, arts and crafts.

Latest AGOA Trade Data currently available on AGOA.info


Click here to view a sector profile of Botswana’s bilateral trade with the United States, disaggregated by total exports and imports, AGOA exports and GSP exports.

Other regularly updated trade statistics on AGOA.info include: (click each link to view)