The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Consultant Ms Rosa Whitaker has said the proposed budget cut on AGOA initiative by the committee on budget will deal a blow to the economy.

The committee on budget has recommended that the AGOA budget be cut. Whitaker who was responding to questions during a press conference, which she addressed yesterday at AGOA offices in Kampala, said cutting the budget would create more unemployment for the next generation.

"I respect the MPs decision and the sovereignty of this country. But cutting the budget on AGOA will mean fewer exports, less foreign income and more unemployment," she said.

"It is about the next generation of Ugandans. I do not have an opinion, but I think the Ugandan people should be concerned. Parliament should listen to the people. No other African parliaments are doing this"

Whitaker, who is the president and Chief Executive of the Whitaker Group, a premier US consulting firm that facilitates trade, investment and commerce in Africa said the Whitaker Group has launched an initiative called " Uganda: The Garden of Africa Initiative", which is marketing Uganda's organic products in the US.

"A key component of this project included Uganda's participation a few weeks ago in the all things organic conference and trade show in Chicago Illinois," she said .

The former Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa, further said that the Ugandan delegation, led by the AGOA and export-led growth office, showcased local organic products to over 30,000 prospective US and European wholesalers, retailers and buyers at the show.

"Uganda is ideally situated to take advantage of the niche US market for organic products and will benefit significantly from the ability to command higher average prices for its organic commodities," Whitaker stated.

The US is the world's largest market for organic products, the largest segment of the organic industry. More that $10 billion of organic foods were sold in 2002, a 9 per cent increase from the previous year.

Some estimates project the US organic food market will reach $20 billion in annual sales by 2005. imprison.

Bizimungu, a Hutu became Rwanda's President in July 1994 but resigned from his office in 2000 amidst "disagreements" with the ruling RPF. His office was immediately taken over by incumbent Paul Kagame.

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