AGOA/MCC Promotion Tour in Burkina

In January 2008, the Embassy collaborated with the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Commerce, Artisanal and Business Promotion to launch a joint multi-city campaign promoting export opportunities.  The January 15th opening ceremony in Ouagadougou was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, officials from the Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Jackson and Deputy Chief of Mission David Brown.

After the kick-off ceremony in Ouagadougou, the team visited ten commercial hubs throughout Burkina Faso including: Ouahigouya (January 16), Kaya (January 24), Gaoua (January 31), Koupela and Tenkodogo (February 19), Fada N'Gourma (February 20), Banfora (March 6), Bobo-Dioulasso (March 7), Koudougou (March 21) and Leo (March 27).  In each city, local authorities including High Commissioners, Governors, Mayors, leaders of the Chamber of Commerce, and traditional chiefs attended the opening sessions to show their support.  Capacity crowds of local business people including exporters, shea butter and nut processing companies, and service companies, greeted each workshop.

The tour included a presentation by Economic Attaché, Pamela Hamblett, who explained the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  Many of the local entrepreneurs were excited to learn about the opportunities afforded by AGOA, which allows qualifying sub-Saharan nations to export more than 6,000 types of goods tax-free to the U.S.  In addition to explaining AGOA, the presentation also discussed resources, such as the West Africa Trade Hub (WATH), which are available to assist Burkinabe entrepreneurs who are trying to enter the American market.  During the program, Commercial Assistant, Francois Caboré, shared the latest updates on the 2008 signing of the Millennium Challenge compact and its implications for poverty reduction in Burkina Faso.