[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WORKING TOWARD ECONOMIC SELF DETERMINATION: A NEW AGENDA FOR AFRICA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues and 
concerned citizens of an important event taking place in the 15th 
Congressional District of Michigan. On Friday, April 24, 1998, I will 
join the Constituency for Africa, Africa World Expo Inc. and the 
Detroit Minority Business Opportunity Committee in hosting ``A New 
Agenda for Africa: Augmenting Business Opportunities with Africa,'' a 
conference designed to help build successful trading partnerships 
between small and medium-sized American businesses and Africa. The 
conference, to be held in Detroit, Michigan, follows two monumental 
events in the history of this country's relationship with Africa: this 
body's passage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and President 
Clinton's groundbreaking visit to six African nations.
  On March 11, 1998, Congress voted 233 to 186 to support the African 
Growth and Opportunity Act. This bill sets forth a much-needed new U.S. 
economic and trade policy toward the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, 
encourages closer economic cooperation with this region, and supports 
debt reduction for the poorest African countries. This legislation was 
developed on a bi-partisan basis with the 48 Presidents and ambassadors 
of the sub-Saharan African nations themselves. Last December, I had the 
honor and privilege of participating in a Presidential mission on 
economic cooperation to six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This bill 
complements, rather than supplants, continued, effective aid to Africa. 
Aid to Africa has been cut by 25 percent; the passage of this bill is 
but beginning toward establishing economic self-determination and self-
sufficiency for sub-Saharan Africa.
  The conference will feature a number of experts on African trade 
issues, and will spotlight American business operators who have 
successful ventures in sub-Saharan Africa. Conference participants will 
hear first-hand accounts of the trade environment in sub-Saharan Africa 
from Mamadou Seck, Senegalese Ambassador to the United States; Koby 
Koomson, Ghanaian Ambassador to the United States; Mr. Banji Milambo, 
an economist with the Republic of Zambia; The Honorable Ackim Nkole, 
Deputy Minister of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Ng'andu Bwalya, Director 
General of the Zambia Investment Center and Mr. Gerry Munyama, 
commercial officer for Namibia. It is my honor and privilege that these 
ambassadors and experts have taken the time to educate all Americans 
about trade and business opportunities in Africa.
  I warmly welcome these and all of the participants for this important 
conference and encourage American business owners to consider Africa as 
they enter our increasingly-global economy. I thank the Speaker for 
allowing me to enter these remarks in the Congressional Record.




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