Agoa: an unprecedented opportunity for Africa. (African Business Special Report).

The second Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum is being held in Mauritius from the 13 - 17th of January. US President George W Bush is expected to make his first visit to Africa as Head of State when he inaugurates the forum. He will be leading a formidable team including Secretary of State Colin Powell, Commerce Secretary Don Evans, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.

African representation will be suitably impressive with national delegations led by Heads of State and including high ranking Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and business leaders.

While there will be considerable diplomatic and political horse-trading, the Forum is essentially about business. AGOA is not a one way street - it makes it easier for Africa to export to the US but it also gives US firms incentives to invest in Africa. Thus it is a showcase for African enterprise and the exhibition running concurrently with the forum will provide the ideal platform.

The publicity surrounding the event will be massive and for once, Africa will not make the American networks merely as a disaster story item. This is an unprecedented opportunity for Africa and African companies to reach the American market directly. There are fortunes in the making for those who come prepared to take advantage of the exposure.

The organisers could not have chosen a more fitting venue than Mauritius to stage the Forum. This beautiful Indian Ocean island is also one of the world's most dynamic industrial countries and a clear example of what most African countries can become if the will, the planning and the energy to carry through are there.

African Business, the continent's oldest and most respected analytic magazine is proud to be associated with the 2nd AGOA Forum in Mauritius.