The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a unilateral trade policy concession governing United States and sub-Saharan Africa trade and investment relations. AGOA enhances US market access for 40 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, including South Africa. Signed into law by the US Congress in May 2000, AGOA has been renewed several times and is now set to expire in September 2015.
With the review of AGOA currently underway, this seminar, will bring together the region's foremost trade think tanks (i.e. South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), TIPS and trade law centre (Tralac); industry leaders and key government officials, to discuss and engage the impact of AGOA and what this unilateral dispensation means for South Africa. Specifically, the session will provide an overview of AGOA's policy successes and challenges and engage participants on AGOA's impact on South Africa's competitiveness, with specific focus on the citrus and automotive sectors.