Press Releases

“Expanding Processed Food Exports Under AGOA” Workshop
to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, October 11-12 

October 4, 2006

The Southern Africa African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Regional Workshop entitled “Expanding Processed Food Exports to the United States” will take place from October 11-12, 2006, at Le Vendome Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.  The purpose of the workshop is to focus special attention on AGOA export opportunities in the processed and specialty food and ingredient sectors, in order to promote and expand exports of these products to the U.S. market. 

A delegation of experts from the United States including American food distributors, brokers, and marketing experts will travel to the workshop in Cape Town to share their expertise with participants from Southern African countries. The workshop will include sessions on retailing, distribution, marketing, financing, and important trends in the U.S. food market for African processed food products.  Participants will learn about U.S. regulatory requirements and techniques to increase exports and distribution to the United States in processed foods, including specialty foods and ingredients. 

Melissa Brown, the Economic/Commercial Officer at U.S. Embassy Port Louis, will accompany six Mauritian companies to Cape Town to participate in the workshop.  The Mauritian companies include: Conserverie Sarjua Internationale, Marlin Exports Limited, Compagnie Agricole de Labourdonnais, T & T International Foods Limited, New Maurifoods Ltd, and Thon Des Mascareignes Ltd. 

The workshop is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Trade Representative.  For additional information, please contact Shariff Jathoonia, Economic/Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy Port Louis, at 202-4464.

AGOA is the cornerstone of U.S. trade and investment policy toward Sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA's objectives include expanding U.S.-African trade and investment, stimulating economic growth, and facilitating regional integration and sub-Saharan Africa's integration into the global economy.