DOT TO HOST AFRICAN MINISTERS AT ATLANTA CONFERENCE

DOT TO HOST AFRICAN MINISTERS AT ATLANTA CONFERENCE    U.S. Secretary of Transpiration Norman Mineta said the DOT will host transport ministers of 10 African countries at an April 8-11 meeting in Atlanta to promote international trade.
   At the PanAfrican-Caribbean Conference on Air Transportation, DOT officials will work with representatives from Sub-Saharan nations on the Safe Skies for Africa initiative, and to discuss challenges posed by Sept. 11.
   “The United States is Africa’s largest single market, with U.S./Africa trade approaching $30 billion last year,” Mineta said. “Safe, secure and dependable transportation is essential to the development of trade between the United States and Africa.”
   Mineta added the United States is also seeking to liberalize bilateral aviation agreements with African countries. Of the 56 U.S. open-skies bilateral agreements worldwide, 10 are with African countries.