The invitation to participate in the AGOA Expo and Trade Fair, to be held in the cities of New Rochelle and New York, is in recognition of the GNCCI’s active role through the Ghana AGOA Trade Resource Centre (ATRC).

A statement from the GNCCI to the Ghana News Agency on Friday said the delegation would be led by Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso I, the President of the GNCCI, who would present the business and investment opportunities in Ghana, under AGOA. 

AGOA is a non-reciprocal trade preference programme that provides duty-free and quota-free treatment for exports of over 6,400 products into the US market from eligible Sub-Saharan African countries, with the goal of encouraging export-led growth, economic development and improving U.S economic relations with Africa.

Since its enactment on May 18, 2000 by US President, George Bush, the Act has gone through many amendments to enable AGOA beneficiaries to take advantage of it after the initial 15-year validity period, which was extended to 2025 on June 29, 2015, by President Barack Obama.

The extension covered the Third Country Fabric Provision. The 10-year renewal period provided an opportunity for eligible Sub-Saharan African countries including Ghana to increase their exports into the United States Market, the statement said.

AGOA has provided Sub-Saharan African countries the opportunity to grow their export earnings. Aggregate exports to US by AGOA beneficiaries (AGOA plus non-AGOA goods) have increased from 21.7 billion dollars in 2000 reaching its peak at 82.2 billion dollars in 2008.

The following years have recorded declining exports ending 2017 at 24.9 billion dollars. Major contributing countries to AGOA include Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, La Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and Kenya.

Major non-oil export products include agriculture, minerals, metals, textiles and apparel, footwear, and transportation equipment.Ghana’s performance under AGOA has been sustained by its broadly diversified exports to the US in the areas of textiles and apparel, energy-related products, agricultural products, footwear, and minerals and metals.

After reaching its peak in 2011 with exports earnings of 779 million dollars and subsequent decline in 2012 (US292 million dollars), there has been a renewed confidence resulting in an upward trend in Ghana’s performance ending 2017 with export earnings of 748 million dollars.

The surge in performance reflects the collective efforts by government and other stakeholders including the GNCCI, in strengthening Ghana’s exports.

As part of the efforts to increase the awareness and build the capacity of exporters and potential exporters, the Chamber entered into collaboration in 2015 with the USAID West Africa Trade Hub.

The AGOA Trade Resource Centre (ATRC) was established at the Chamber to engage the private sector for regional and global assistance via trade intelligence, export development, business promotion, and trade facilitation.

A number of sensitisation and capacity building workshops have been organised in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi to enable business men and women utilize AGOA.

Some of the topics treated in these workshops included US customs and regulations on AGOA, productivity, exports financing-risk and access to finance, financing export contracts and payment, packaging and food technology.

The AGOA Expo is a cultural and business platform aimed at celebrating US-African cooperation, strengthening bilateral trade relations, promoting AGOA key export products and investment opportunities.

There would be a number of activities including African Beverages and Food Show; African Apparel, Textiles and Footwear Exhibition.

Other activities are AGOA Apparel Fashion Week, Exhibition of Leather and African Cosmetics, African Music and Urban Dances, and AGOA Festival Workshops and Networking.

The participants for this event are the United States and AGOA eligible countries including Ghana.