U.S. readies for West African trade mission

   Twenty U.S. firms will join Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on a trade mission to West Africa, which will visit Ghana and Nigeria from May 18-23, 2014.
   The trip will promote U.S. exports and expand U.S. companies’ presence in Africa by helping American firms launch or increase their business in the energy sector. The firms joining the trip — which include ABB, Cargill, HPI and Intermarine — are interested in working with African countries develop their energy resources and systems, as well as build out power generation, transmission and distribution.
   “There is tremendous potential for U.S. companies to sell their goods and services in countries like Ghana and Nigeria, which have energy needs that our firms have the goods, services and expertise to address. Expanding trade and investment is a critical tool for economic growth and job creation in the U.S., and trade missions like this one are one way to help grow U.S. exports,” Pritzker said.
  In the coming months, Commerce’s International Trade Administration will more than double its presence in Africa, opening its first offices in Angola, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Mozambique. At the same time, offices in Kenya, Ghana, Morocco and Libya will also be expanded.
   “As U.S. companies look to ship more goods to the continent, help increase electrical capacity, or help improve transportation networks, they will receive assistance and expertise from these new offices and expanded Foreign Commercial Service staff,” Pritzker said.