AGOA FORUM OUTREACH

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 001163 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/EPS AND AF/PDPA E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV PREL AMGT TZ SUBJECT: AGOA FORUM OUTREACH REF: STATE 107204 ¶1. Per reftel, post confirms that it has invited and encouraged GOT participation at the 2005 AGOA Forum in Senegal next month. The Minister of Trade, Juma Ngasongwa, will lead a delegation of four trade officials to the Forum. The timing of the Forum makes it impossible for other ministers to attend: the Finance Minister will be in the middle of the Parliamentary Budget Session and the Foreign Minister will be in the middle of his campaign for the presidency. ¶2. Post also invited and encouraged officials from the East African Community to attend the Forum, and Secretary-General Amanya Mushega has confirmed he will attend with two other EAC Trade officials. This marks the first time the EAC will be represented at the AGOA Forum, and post encourages USG officials to recognize and warmly welcome the delegation. ¶3. AGOA continues to be an important part of post's public outreach. Post has organized a PD-sponsored speaker's program on AGOA, hosted AGOA round-table discussions, encouraged local businesses to take advantage of AGOA, and highlighted AGOA at local trade fairs. Post will continue to inform and encourage the GOT and the private sector to capitalize on AGOA opportunities. OWEN