MINISTER of Commerce Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has called for a common voice for African countries in fostering the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) partnership with the US.
Speaking yesterday on the side-lines of the high-level Ministerial Meeting of the 20th AGOA Forum which is taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Mulenga emphasized on working together for the betterment of Africa.
He stated that it is important for Africa to support each other and stand together as one continent with one goal of transforming its economy through the collaborative efforts of partners such as the US.
“If Africa wants to do business with the rest of the world, we need to work together as one. One country can’t do business on its own. Some countries may be going through different challenges such as sanctions, cultural beliefs, political upheavals, among others but we still need to move in one direction as Africa,” Mr. Mulenga said.
He said President Hakainde Hichilema, who is the Chairperson for Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), wants Africa to unite and work together because trade and investment play a key role in the promotion of economic development.
He said he is happy that the private sector is taking part at the AGOA forum and the exhibition.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Ms. Mazuba Monze says she is happy that the private sector is also taking part because the AGOA Forum has created an opportunity for the private sector to sell and show what Zambia has to offer.
Ms. Mazuba noted that the private sector helps to create job opportunities, contributes positively to the economy, offers multiple paths for companies to grow, and also helps to improve relationships between stakeholders and contributes to the economic development of the country.
AGOA is a mutually-beneficial trade and investment partnership that benefits both the African eligible countries and the U.S. and has fostered the development of regional value chains among eligible countries, thereby contributing towards enhancing intra-Africa trade and development.
The theme of this year’s Forum is “partnering to build a resilient, sustainable and an inclusive AGOA to support economic development, industrialization, and quality job creation.”
This is according to a statement issued First Secretary Press and Public Relations Zambia High Commission in South Africa Tamara Nyirenda.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, 4th November, 2023)