§3704 United States-sub-saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum

Summary

The President must hold high-level meetings each year between U.S. officials and leaders from sub-Saharan African governments to build closer economic ties. Within 12 months after May 18, 2000, and after talking with Congress and the governments involved, the President must create a United States–Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum. The Commerce, Treasury, and State Secretaries and the U.S. Trade Representative must host the first annual meeting with countries that are eligible under section 3703 and those making substantial progress toward eligibility. The meetings are to focus on expanding trade and investment, carrying out this chapter, and encouraging joint ventures between small and large businesses. They must invite regional African groups and other appropriate African governments. The President should meet with eligible or near-eligible heads of government at least once every 2 years, with the first such meeting not later than 12 months after May 18, 2000. The President must encourage U.S. NGOs and private-sector groups to hold side meetings with African counterparts when the Forum meets. The United States Information Service must regularly share economic information, by various media, to support the free-market reforms in this chapter. U.S. delegates to the Forum must promote a review of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in each sub-Saharan African country and how it affects that country’s economic development.