Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati has said there was need to consolidate regional integration between the
American and African continents.
Mr. Mutati noted that Africa was growing and opening up to more opportunities through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) making it possible for African counties to make progress.
ZANIS reports that speaking during the official opening of a joint session of the Private Sector, Civil Society and African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) at Mulungushi Conference centre in Lusaka today, ahead of the official opening of the AGOA forum tomorrow, Mr Mutati noted that Zambia was determined to make progress in the cost of doing business adding that many African countries had taken steps to improve their economies.
‘’Zambia and other African countries are determined to make a change and are fully committed to deepen regional integration,’’ the Minister said.
At the same occasion, United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella said US was committed to promoting Africa’s economic growth through trade.
Mr. Storella noted that AGOA was a critical pillar in growing the economic relationship between America and Sub-Saharan African nations.
Ambassador Storella observed that Africa was an important strategic partner of the US describing the continent as a rising market and destination for the American continent as well as global investment and Trade.
He said there was need for the Private Sector to ensure that free and fair trade existed and to ensure that policy makers were held accountable for their actions in a transparent process, especially trade policies that negatively affected producers and consumers.
‘’America is pleased to join the Private Sector and Civil Society from the 37 AGOA eligible partners and around the World. The US celebrates AGOA’s success today in expanding and diversifying a two -way U.S-Africa trade providing opportunities for businesses and growing African economies through trade,’’ Mr Storella added.
The US envoy further stated that this year’s joint Private Sector and Civil Society agenda was an innovative way to finance economic development which would ensure small and Medium enterprises participate in regional and world markets.
[ ZANIS ]
Thanx for the AGOA. PF doesnt understand macroeconomics. I know very few will comment of Felix Mutati statement. Check the way they responded on UPND’s Kakoma. PF is only interested in politics of the belly. Viva Finance Minister, Commerce Min.
Use words carefully, we can develop without the so called intergration of regions. It’s called business cause all you need is product and human resources. Africa has enough people to be a stand alone market.
talk is cheap! mutati does not even know what an american businessman thinks!!