Documents
The AGOA.info archives contain a wide and growing selection of documents available for download. These are categorised under the ‘Legal’ (AGOA legislation, Bills, certificates, proclamations), ‘Documents and Reports’ (mainly annual US trade reports) , ‘Research Documents’ (academic and other) and ‘General Documents’ (all others downloads).
The US Congressional Elections in 2006: What Implicatiuns for US Trade Policy?
The recent U.S. Congressional elections assumed considerable importance for trade negotiators because it is thought that, even if significant progress were made on the Doha Round negotiations in early 2007, Congress would need to extend the U.S....
An interim assessment of the US Trade Policy of "Competitive Liberalization"
Since it took office the administration of George W. Bush has pursued a trade policy known as Competitive Liberalization. This policy envisages a series of mutually-reinforcing and sequential steps to open markets abroad to U.S. companies, to...
AGOA - An overview 2003
This paper addresses the historical foundations of AGOA, its envisioned benefits to Africa and the U.S., its record of achievement in training, trade, promotion of appropriate African business policies, its phases and future.
Textiles and Clothing: Reflections on the sector’s integration into the post-quota environment (2005)
This paper tracks developments of the global textile and clothing quota regime from its early stages in the 1960s to the final integration of the sector into world trade on 1 January 2005. This is followed by a brief analysis of trends in the...
"Taking The Devils Rope" - AGOA And Sweatshops In The Apparel Sector
In the last three years the apparel sector in Sub Saharan Africa has experienced considerable growth with the introduction of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Much of the investment in Southern Africa has been by Asian multinational...
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Does it really present opportunities?
Paper presented at the International Conference "Agricultural policy reform and the WTO: where are we heading?" This paper attempted to address three main questions about AGOA: The first question looks at how well the market access provisions...
Has AGOA increased agricultural exports from Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States? 2003
Paper presented at the International Conference "Agricultural policy reform and the WTO: where are we heading?" AGOA provides preferential access to Africa's products in US markets. While proponents expect that AGOA will expand Africa's exports to...
The initial and potential impact of preferential access to the US market under AGOA (World Bank-Brenton)
The ability to export clothing products under preferences with liberal rules of origin is the key factor currently determining whether the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has a significant impact on non-oil exporting African countries....
UNCTAD: Recent initiatives in favour of LDCs
A preliminary impact assessment undertaken by UNCTAD in 2003 on the main recent initiatives in favour of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the area of preferential market access. This document has been prepared to facilitate the debate at the...
Article: An African response to AGOA (2001)
Short article on AGOA that was published in "The Southern African Economist", Vol 14, No6, pp 17-19, in 2001.
AGOA, agricultural practice and trade - 2001
Article published in the Southern African Political & Economic Monthly (SAPEM).
Technical Report: GSP assessment and country export survey - Tradehub
Under the preceding RAPID project, Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub advisors conducted a GSP Assessment and Export Survey in every SADC country with the exception of South Africa and Mauritius. The purpose of this exercise was to...
IMF Report - AGOA and its Rules of Origin: Generosity undermined?
This paper describes the United States recently enacted Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and assesses its quantitative impact on African exports. The AGOA expands the scope of preferential access of Africa's exports to the United States in...
Extension of third country textile waiver - a 2002 report
Report prepared by Joop de Voest for the Zambia Trade and Investment Enhancement Project (ZAMTIE). This short technical report looks at the implications of the end to special apparel provisions under AGOA (allowing for the use of third country...
Bread for the World: AGOA 2003 and African agriculture
Report on the impact of AGOA by the Washington-based organisation 'Bread for the World'. The report draws attention to some of the constraints and opportunities related to AGOA.
Rules of Origin and AGOA: Hard choices for textiles and clothing in SADC 2002
A number of recent market-opening measures in major developed country markets, especially AGOA, present a unique and time-limited opportunity for southern African economies to benefit from large increases in investment and employment in the...
HR 1777 'Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013’
To create jobs in the United States by increasing United States exports to Africa by at least 200 percent in real dollar value within 10 years, and for other purposes. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. RUSH, and Ms. BASS) introduced the...
Senate Bill S. 3326 to extend AGOA fabric provisions to 2015 (as passed)
S3326, which was passed by the Senate on 2 August 2012, to extend the AGOA third country fabric provisions to 2015.
Preliminary financial estimate of the AGOA fabric provision renewal 2012
Details on the cost estimate of the AGOA fabric waiver extension, as prepared by the US Congressional Budget Office.
Proposed Coburn amendment to AGOA
Text of the proposed Coburn amendment prior to passing of AGOA fabric extension on 2 August 2012. The proposed amendment was not passed (40:58 vote), which resulted in the passage of the AGOA third country fabric waiver provisions.
Bill H.R. 5986 - submitted to House Ways and Means 21 June 2012 to extend AGOA third country fabric provisions
Bill submitted to House Ways and Means Committee on 21 June 2012, to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend the third country fabric program and to add South Sudan to the list of countries eligible for designation under that Act,...
US GSP Renewal - October 2011
Legislation passed by the US Congress and signed into law to re-enact the US GSP and restrospectively apply the GSP preferences for 2011 since the former GSP expired in December 2010.
Bill HR 2493 to amend AGOA third country textile fabric provisions
Proposed legislation to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend the third country fabric program from 2012 to 2015, and for other purposes.
USTR text: Liberia qualifies for textile preferences under AGOA 2011
Legal text on the determination of Liberia as qualifying for textile preferences (including the third country provisions) under AGOA.
Presidential Proclamation ceasing the Congo-DRC's eligibility for AGOA preferences
Presidential Proclamation published on 21 December 2010 removing the Democratic Republic of Congo's eligibility for AGOA preferences.
AGOA III legislation
AGOA III - legislation known as "AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004".
AGOA WTO Waiver - annual report 2009
Under the terms of this waiver, the United States is required to submit to the General Council an annual report on the implementation of the trade-related provisions of AGOA with a view to facilitating the annual review provided for in paragraph 4...
Bill H.R. 4101 - New Partnership for Trade Development Act of 2009
Proposals to "amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Trade Act of 1974 to provide improved duty-free treatment for certain articles from certain least-developed countries, and for other purposes". The Bill inter alia makes...
Amendments to AGOA (HR 7222) - abundant supply provisions and Mauritius eligibility
Public Law 110-436 amending AGOA: (a) repeal of abundant supply provisions (b) designation of Mauritius as a country that may use third country fabrics in clothing exports. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 154 (2008): Sept. 29, considered and passed...
House of Representatives Bill HR 5095 to include Mauritius under the AGOA fabric waiver programme
House of Reps Bill HR 5095 to amend certain parts of the AGOA legislation (specifically to include Mauritius as a country able to benefit from the apparel provisions with respect to using third country fabrics).
Proclamation 8240 Federal Register Notice 77, declaring Togo AGOA-eligible
Federal Register notice published 21 April 2008 proclaiming Togo as an AGOA beneficiary country, and amending certain parts of the AGOA legislation.
Federal Register notice on textiles 'Abundant Supply' provisions 2007
Abundant supply provisions published in the Federal Register of 27 February 2007, pertaining to AGOA IV.
2008 AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin
Textile certificate of origin (May 2008 version).
Bill H.R. 6406 includes Abundant Supply provisions
Summary of AGOA and GSP-related provisions of this Bill. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) 1. Extends GSP for two years, consistent with the President’s budget request. 2. After a six-month delay, tightens rules on competitive need limit...
Bill HR. 6142: Africa Investment Incentive Act of 2006
Proposed legislation amending the AGOA, including an extension of the third-country fabric provision, the associated quota limits, the GSP, as submitted by Rep. Bill Thomas on 21-09-2006.
Bill H.R. 6076 Emergency Trade Programme Extension Act of 2006
Proposed legislation amending the AGOA, including an extension of the third-country fabric provision, the associated quota limits, and the status of Mauritius.
Bill H.R. 5480: African Entrepreneurship Act of 2006
Official Title: To promote economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and private sector development in Africa, and to promote partnerships among small and medium enterprises in the United States and the African private sector in qualified...
Bill H.R. 5070: Trade Preference Extension and Expansion Act of 2006
Official Title: To extend certain trade preference programs, and for other purposes. Aims to promote sustainable development and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa in three ways: by extending the GSP for one year, by amending the AGOA, and by...
Proclamation on 2006 AGOA Country Eligibility
Presidential Proclamation dated 22 December 2005 indicating the removal of Mauritiana from the list of AGOA beneficiaries and addition of Burundi with effect of 01-01-2006.
Memorandum of Understanding China - US relating to textiles quotas
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in November 2005 between the governments of the United States and China concerning trade in textile and apparel products. These consultations took place under Paragraph 242 of the "Report of the Working...
HR-1047 Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004
Legal text of HR-1047, which proposes certain ammendments to US legislation, including the re-designation of Mauritius as a LDC country.
Alphabetic Guide to the US HTS Product Coding
This alphabetic guide provides a useful overview on a product-by-product basis to the US Harmonised tariff System (HTS) nomenclature.
AGOA Acceleration Act HR 4103 - AGOA III Act
The AGOA Acceleration Act, HR 4103, is closely modelled after the proposed "AGOA III Act" but is specifically designed to smoothly pass the Congress soon after April 2004.
AGOA III Bill
This Bill, commonly referred to as “AGOA III”, was introduced to the Senate of the United States and House of Representatives on November 21 and 22, 2003, respectively. Proposed changes included an overall extension of AGOA to 2015 (from 2008...
AGOA Clarification Ruling (Apparel)
This document presents the findings and a binding ruling issued by the US Customs Department following an enquiry by a potential apparel exporter from Ghana. Ghana qualifies for apparel exports under AGOA, and is in addition also classified as a...
AGOA: Hot air of hot stuff?
The US Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was promulgated in October 2000, claims to 'move Africans from poverty to prosperity by increasing their economic opportunities'. The Act extends Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) status...
Lists and codes of US ports (a customs requirement)
Classification of United States customs districts and ports for US foreign trade. This appendix provides a complete listing of valid district/port codes of the U.S., and is important information for exporters and shipping agencies.