LESOTHO: SPEAKER REQUEST ON BECOMING AN AGOA EXPORTER

UNCLAS MASERU 000083 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR IIP, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO SCUL OEXC LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: SPEAKER REQUEST ON BECOMING AN AGOA EXPORTER ¶1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Embassy Maseru requests a speaker to address how small, non-apparel manufacturers can export to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to build upon Lesotho's success as a textile and apparel exporter under AGOA. This program will directly support post's Mission Strategic Plan goal of promoting sustainable and diversified economic development. It is a strategic goal of Embassy Maseru to help diversify the products which Lesotho exports to the United States to decrease its overdependence on the fragile textile and apparel industry. Post seeks a speaker who can bring an informed perspective to identifying ways in which small businesses can reap the benefits of exporting under AGOA. As AGOA exports have largely been limited to the textile and apparel sector in Lesotho, we seek a speaker who will actively encourage and give practical advice to businesses in non-apparel sectors regarding becoming an AGOA exporter. ¶2. TIME FRAME: We hope to program the speaker for a period of one week. We would like to arrange the program as soon as practicable. ¶3. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: This speaker program will support MSP priorities and provide practical, actionable advice to local companies looking to expand into the U.S. market. Post is highly concerned about Lesotho's textile industry, which currently supports approximately 40,000 jobs which experts estimate support approximately 350,000 of Lesotho's two million citizens. As this sector is highly vulnerable to external shocks, diversification of Lesotho's exports is key to protecting the nation's economy. Such a speaker will also better position Lesotho's citizens to take advantage of the private sector development initiatives which are a component of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's $362.5 million compact with Lesotho. ¶4. AUDIENCES: The speaker will engage Embassy-facilitated public events, small and medium-sized enterprise support network (BEDCO) members, the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC)'s trade promotion network, and participants in Lesotho's private sector competitiveness project. The Public Affairs Section will arrange radio and television interviews to extend the impact of these presentations. ¶5. PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: Discussions and presentations should center on practical steps to enhance of diversity of products exported to the United States and advice to small enterprises regarding how they can become exporters under AGOA. The nature of the events will largely be presentations to Embassy-assembled audiences followed by question and answer sessions. ¶6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: English. ¶7. PROGRAM OFFICER AND CONTACT INFORMATION: Christopher M. Smith Public Diplomacy, Economic, and Political Officer (+226)22-312-666, ext. 4104 (office) SmithCM3@state.gov(email) ¶8. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Embassy Maseru would support sharing this speaker with other interested posts. NOLAN