Expectations are high as Zambia prepares to host the 10th Africa Growth Opportunity Act(AGOA) conference slated for June 8 to 10, 2011.

The Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) chairperson Yusuf Dodia implores the Zambian representatives to highlight the barriers Zambian companies have continued to face since AGOAs inception in 2000.
Mr. Dodia said the AGOA conference is a good platform for Zambia to put its cards on the table as regards its failure to penetrate United States markets.
He said it is hoped that the American government will be able address and clear the issues Zambian representatives will advance so that by the end of 2011 the country witnesses higher volumes of exports from Zambia to the United States.
Zambia is hosting the AGOA forum from June 8 to 10 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre under the theme Enhanced Trade, Through Increased Competitiveness, Value addition and Deeper Regional Integration.
The aim of the strategy on AGOA is to provide a focused framework through which Zambias competitiveness and comparative advantage can be harnessed and channeled to exploit opportunities in the US market.
And Zambia Telecommunications Company ZAMTEL has urged business entrepreneurs in Zambia to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Zamtel Chief Commercial Officer, Amon Jere advised entrepreneurs to establish business networking contacts with people from the United States of America and push for business ventures between the two countries observing that Zambia%u2019s only biggest challenge is how best to market the many opportunities available in the country.
Zamtel, the official AGOA Forum communications partner has set up hot spots around the conference centre, providing high speed broadband internet for the secretariat and the media centre.
Mr. Jere said hosting the AGOA Conference could not have at a better time than now when Zambia is experiencing positive economic trends citing adding that the recent credit rating is another good sign that the country is ripe for more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
In a statement issued in Lusaka today, and obtained to Flava FM News , Zamtel which has issued free SIM packs to delegates and hosts the official AGOA Forum website, said the Forum had potential to transform Zambia and Africa as a whole.
Mr. Jere further encouraged local companies taking part in the summit to take advantage of the companys products and services to help boost their enterprises.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jere has assured all delegates attending the AGOA summit of uninterrupted mobile phone, telephone and internet connectivity at the on-going AGOA summit at Mulungushi Conference Centre.
The forum will be chaired by a high powered delegation led by United States of America Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati disclosed this yesterday and has since assured that Zambia is ready to host the 10th Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum which officially opens tomorrow Wednesday.
(Flavafm)