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Q1 When and why was the Trade Hub created?
A In 2001, US President George Bush announced that the US government would establish three regional Trade Hubs for Global Competitiveness to help African businesses sell more of their product on the global markets. The Southern Africa Trade Hub was the first to be established. Other Trade Hubs are in Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya.
Primarily the Trade Hubs were created to enhance Southern Africa’s trade competitiveness and take greater advantage of opportunities provided through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and other global trade initiatives. The Southern Africa Trade Hub also promotes the mission of the Trade for African Development and Enterprise (TRADE) initiative.
Q2 What is the Trade Hub?
A The Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub (the Trade Hub) is a central point where Southern Africans can gain access to US markets through business linkages, capacity building services and problem-solving trade facilitation.
Q3 Why was a Trade Hub created for Southern Africa?
A By all indications, trade between Southern Africa and the United States is delivering unprecedented financial gains and endless promising opportunities. Thousands of Southern African and US businesses are leading the way, and everyday others join the movement.
Yet for many business people – both in Southern Africa and in the US – expanding their business by embarking into new international markets is daunting or at the least, complicated.
The Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub or Trade Hub in short – delivers what these business people need:
• Results-producing links to viable Southern African/US trade and investment opportunities and
• Expertise and commitment to overcome obstacles that block success.
Q4 What is the mission of the Trade for African Development and Enterprise (TRADE) initiative?
A TRADE has six main themes as its mission: 1. Enhance the competitiveness of Southern African products and services. 2. Expand the role that trade can play in African poverty reduction strategies. 3. Promote US/Southern African business linkages 4. Improve the delivery of public services supporting trade. 5. Strengthen Southern African capacity for trade policy formulation and implementation. 6. Strengthen the enabling environment for Southern African business.
Q5 Why is the Southern Africa Trade Hub located in Gaborone, Botswana?
A The USAID Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) is located in Gaborone and provides the overall coordination of the initiative. The SADC Secretariat is also headquartered in Gaborone, and SADC coordinates regional program linked to Trade Hub activities.
In addition, Botswana is a stable Southern African country with sound macroeconomic policies.
Q6 Who would benefit from working with the Trade Hub?
A Ultimately, because increased trade provides an overall strengthening of the economy, all Southern Africans benefit from the work of the Trade Hub and its business partners. In addition, there are also benefits to the United States as it increases its investments and partnership in trade with Southern African businesses.
Trade Hub stakeholders include:
• Southern African private sector businesses
• Industry associations,
• The Customs industry
• Government officials,
• Transport operators and regulators
• United States businesses and investors
• US customs and regulatory agencies
Q7 What services does the Trade Hub offer?
A Trade Hub advisors provide assistance related to
• AGOA export business development
• Trade policy capacity building
• Customs and trade facilitation
• Transport corridor efficiency
• Increased competition and private investment in energy and telecommunications
• SPS/Food safety standards for agricultural trade
• Information exchange and outreach
Q8 How does one contact the Hub?
A The World Wide Web: www.satradehub.org / Phone: (267) 3900-884 / Fax: (267) 3901-027 / PO Box 602090, Gaborone, Botswana / Physical Address: Unit 4, Plot 40, Gaborone International Commerce Park Gaborone, Botswana.
Q9 Which products are Eligible products?
A All AGOA elegible products can be searched for by key word on this site:
http://www.agoa.gov/eligibility/product_eligibility.html
For any further information about AGOA, please see the AGOA website
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