AUC, CCA pledge to strengthen business ties with US

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PR Newswire | 28 Jul, 2010
KAMPALA (Uganda): On the margins of the African Union Summit, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Jean Ping and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) Board Chairman, Michael Dignam, signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two organizations.

The Chairperson remarked that this MOU provides a platform and structure for enhanced cooperation and collaboration on issues of mutual interest. The agreement complements ongoing efforts of the AUC to improve the business climate on the continent by promoting new opportunities to American investors. Activities will first focus on infrastructure, financing, agri-business and healthcare, though other areas will also be explored. Additionally, CCA will assist the AUC in the creation of a new Pan African Chamber of Commerce.

The signing marks the culmination of a series of consultations that began earlier this year. In April, CCA hosted the leadership of the AUC in Washington, D.C. followed by a CCA visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In these discussions, trade policies of mutual benefit for both the US and its African partners featured prominently. Today, CCA becomes the first American business organization to take steps towards realizing this vision through formal engagement with the AUC.

Also present at the signing ceremony were CCA Board Member Jeff Hoffman and CCA East Africa Director and new Liaison Officer to the African Union, Asfaw Alemayehu, as well as U.S. Ambassador to the AU Michael Battle. Mr. Dignam and Mr. Hoffman travelled to Kampala for the sole purpose of signing the MOU and to underline its importance to CCA with the leadership of the AUC. The Chairperson was accompanied by his Chief of Staff and Spokesperson.

Established in 1993, CCA is at the forefront of facilitating the commercial relationship between the United States and the African continent. CCA programs are designed to bring together potential business partners and raise Africa's investment profile in the US by developing critical contacts and business relationships and providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.