By Ashwert Kugara

ZIMBABWE is not invited to attend the 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum slated for June 9 to 10 in Zambia as the country is under economic sanctions, a senior United States of America (USA) government official has said. Addressing journalists in a tele-press conference from Washington, Deputy Assistant USA Trade representative for Africa, Constance Hamilton said AGOA provides trade preferences to Sub-Saharan African countries that were making progress in economic and political reforms. In this regard, she said Zimbabwe had not showed any meaningful progress towards political reforms. “Intimidation of political players and the abuse of human rights still persist inspite of the existence of the inclusive Government,” she said. However, commentators argue sanctions were imposed on the country to remove ZANU PF from power because of its indigenous economic empowerment policies and until that happens, they would not be removed. ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC-M signed the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in 2008 which brought relative economic stability in the country. Of the 47 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 37 were invited to attend marking a decline from the 40 that attended the forum in 2008. Hamilton said USA top investment partners in Africa were oil-producing countries such as Nigeria, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This, she said was because of the increased demand of petroleum products in the USA. Meanwhile, the USA together with France and Italy are backing Libyan rebels to depose Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi and his ruling regime, a move which analysts say was a desperate ploy by Western powers to benefit from the vast oil resources in the North African State. However, the USA insists that their involvement was primarily for humanitarian purposes and for the protection of civilian lives. Answering a question from a Nigerian journalist to the effect of the invisibility of USA products in Africa as compared to those from China, Hamilton said import systems in Africa such as barriers to trade were making it difficult for US products to penetrate in Africa “USA companies are cautious and taking note of what is obtaining in North Africa, they really need to invest in business friendly environments,” she said, adding that it was not the prerogative of AGOA to determine investment destinations of USA companies. Transport, energy and infrastructural problems in Africa were also a thorn in the flesh for USA investors, Hamilton noted. African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) and Young business leaders were also billed to take part at the forum. AGOA which was established over a decade ago has extended its lifespan to 2015.