SUMMIT BACKGROUND

Following the signing of the East Africa Community (EAC) Treaty that established a Common Market in 2000, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda recently signed the Customs Union Treaty, which has eliminated tariff barriers, and is a stepping stone to the envisioned ease of the movement of labor and capital within the region. With a core market of 81 million people and as the doorway to a market of more than 400 million within the COMESA (Community of Eastern and Southern Africa) economic region, the East African Community (EAC) Treaty countries are poised for the rapid development and expansion of their trade and business sectors.

Endowed with valuable natural resources and a vibrant private sector, the EAC countries have embarked upon comprehensive political reforms and economic transformation, including greater support for private sector development, reduces level of government involvement in the private sector, and increased fiscal policies that include committement to fiscal discipline and a reduction to budget deficit. Economic growth in this region is fueled by a growing middle class as well as a generation of budding entrepreneurs engaged in a wide range of sectors, including agri-business, technology, entertainment, health care, banking and finance, manufacturing, mining, telecommunications, and transportation.

The African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) represent solid and significant new trade and investment policy towards Africa. Covering over 1900 products, AGOA extends duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market and provides greater investment opportunities for qualifying African countries and opens up the door to the 10 trillion dollar U.S. market.

PAST PARTICIPANTS AND SPONSORS

The EAABC Summits, held in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004, showcased the business environment and opportunities that existed within the East African region. Among others, the participants included Hon. Apollo Nsibambi, The Prime Minister of Uganda, Trade ministers from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Ambassador Andrew Young, Investment Authorities from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the World Bank, the Export - Import Bank and various business executives. Following the Summits, several investor groups visited East Africa, out of which, multiple export and trade relationships have been established. Corporate sponsors of those summits included: The Coca Cola Company, Western Union, Delta Airlines, Motorola, Radio Sanyu, Nile Bank, MIGA, The World Bank, Goodworks International, Life University, AFC, MBDA and S.E.I. Group Inc.

SUMMIT FOCUS

The 5th EAST AFRICA-AMERICA TRADE AND INVESTMENT SUMMIT will highlight business, trade and investment opportunities in East Africa, and bring together key government and business leaders from both the U.S.A. and East African region to discuss ways and means of creating and maximizing the value of partnerships. The Summit will also pay particular attention to the emerging women entrepreneurial class, the vast telecommunication and transport opportunities, public companies on sale and the natural agro-economy. You are cordially invited to participate in this Summit and tap into the potential opportunities that the East African region offers.

SUMMIT OBJECTIVES

• To highlight business opportunities created by U.S. initiatives in East Africa and to develop an understanding how to profitably utilize the various legislations, includ ing AGOA.

• To highlight business opportunities created by East Africa initiatives and to develop an understanding on how to practically benefit from these initiatives.

• To provide a venue for U.S. business executives and their counterparts from East Africa to meet, exchange ideas, and establish relationships.

• To showcase American products, services, and appropriate technologies with potential markets in East Africa, as well as East African products with potential markets in the U.S. " To discuss incentives available to U.S. firms interested in operating in East Africa, from both the U.S. and African perspectives, including financing and risk management for the purpose of increasing FDI in the East African region.

• To offer a forum where East Africa and US business services can create effective partnerships.

• To engage University and College Presidents and Chancellors from East Africa and the U.S. and explore alliances that promote partnerships in research, faculty, student and leadership training

• To provide a venue for U.S. trained and educated African professionals to interact with U.S. and African firms operating in or considering operating in East Africa.

INVITED SPEAKERS

H.E Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda; H.E Mwai Kibaki, President of Kenya; H.E Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania; H.E Amanya Mushega, General Secretary, East Africa Community (EAC); Ms. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, U. S; Ms. Rosa Whitaker, formerly with USTR; Hon. Andrew Young, Goodworks International; Mr. Calisto Madavo, Vice-President World Bank - MIGA and IFC; U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Customs Department; U.S. State Department; EX-IM Bank; H.E Sonny Perdue, Governor of the State of Georgia; H.E. Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta; Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Manufacturers Associations; Uganda Investment Authority; Nairobi Stock Exchange; HACO Industries; Mr. Wilfred Kiboro, Group Chairman, Nations Group; Mr. Reginald Mengi, Chairman, IPP Limite; Central Banks of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda; Export and Investment Authorities of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda; and Chief Executives of various U.S. and East Africa firms.

Cooperating Institutions:

Embassy Republic of Kenya, Embassy Republic of Tanzania, Embassy Republic of Uganda, The Association of Kenyan Professionals in Atlanta (AKPA), The Uganda North American Association-Atlanta Chapter (UNAA-Atlanta), The City of Atlanta, Office of the Governor of the State of Georgia, and U.S. Department of Commerce - Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)