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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced legislation today [ AGOA.info note: track progress of this legislation at this link] to continue expanding U.S. trade with sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. The bill will extend a key provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and make non-controversial technical changes to the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) textiles and apparel provisions. In addition to the AGOA...

Senior U.S. and African government officials, private sector business executives, African civil society representatives and women entrepreneurs from across sub-Saharan Africa have concluded the 11th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum in Washington, ending meetings that covered a wide range of issues intended to help reach their common goal of enhancing U.S.-Africa trade to promote shared economic growth. "We have now come to the end of two very productive days spent exchanging ideas about how to further that common goal in...

Lack of developed transportation network in the region is among the hurdles hindering landlocked countries from maximising the benefits from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA).This was highlighted during the just concluded AGOA forum, where US and Sub-Saharan Africa governments and private sector discussed the trade opportunities and challenges among AGOA member countries.The Minister of Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba, led the Rwandan delegation to the meeting along with Ambassador James Kimonyo.He called for a "stronger...

Following a meeting on the sidelines of the recent African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the East African Community (EAC) member states have issued a joint statement on a new trade and investment partnership.The USTR Ron Kirk, the EAC’s Secretary General Richard Sezibera, the Burundian Minister of Commerce Victoire Ndikumana, the Kenyan Minister for Trade Moses Wetang'ula, the Rwandan Minister of Trade and Industry François Kanimba, the Tanzanian Minister for Industry, Trade,...

Statement from Office of the United States Trade Representative, made by Deputy USTR Ambassador Demetrios Marantis:Good afternoon,I want to start off by saying thank you to our distinguished guests - the African Ministers and officials who have traveled so far to be here, my U.S. Government colleagues, and our partners in the private sector - for your insightful dialogue over the course of this ministerial, and for your continued commitment to fostering this vital partnership between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.Yesterday...

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and South Africa Minister of Trade Rob Davies (have) signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). Today’s Agreement amends the TIFA signed in 1999 in order to deepen the U.S.-South Africa trade and investment relationship. The TIFA also provides a forum to address trade issues and will help enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries.“This amended agreement will provide a forum to better exchange views on improving the trade and investment climate and promoting...

The 11th AGOA Forum not only brought together U.S. and African officials to discuss infrastructure and trade June 14-15, but also featured an important meeting of civil society leaders to evaluate the African Growth and Opportunity Act's impact on ordinary people and discuss ways to better educate them about the trade act's benefits.The AGOA Civil Society Session included social organization leaders, small- and medium-sized business entrepreneurs, network members, young professionals and members of the African Women Entrepreneurs Program...

The United States and South Africa are stepping up their trade and investment relationship by vowing to open up a dialogue and remove hurdles. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and South Africa Minister of Trade Rob Davies have signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which amends the TIFA signed in 1999, to better address and deepen the trade and investment relations between the two countries. "This amended agreement will provide a forum to better exchange views on improving the trade and investment climate and promoting...

A United States (US) trade expert has urged African countries to fight off the non-tariff barriers which are the biggest hindrance to the growth of infra-Africa trade.Deputy Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance at US Department of Commerce and International Trade Administration John Anderson hailed African countries for removing tariffs on goods but complained that the biggest enemy remained the non-tariff barriers.Speaking from Washington through a teleconference, Mr Anderson said various African countries had, through...

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the 11th U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum yesterday, also known as the AGOA Forum, in Washington with remarks applauding the great success of the pivotal economic development program.[Follow this LINK to view a video broadcast of Sec. Clinton's opening remarks.] "AGOA has helped to increase trade and investment and opened new doors of opportunity," Clinton said during the forum at the State Department June 14. "It's led to new jobs, the rise of new sectors and new business...

Today the White House announced a new U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa that provides a proactive and forward looking vision grounded in partnership. The new strategy sets forth four strategic objectives, as described below, and commits the United States to elevate its efforts on the first two of these four pillars: strengthening democratic institutions and spurring economic growth, trade and investment.• Strengthen Democratic Institutions: The new strategy commits the United States to work to advance democracy by strengthening...

Today the White House announced a new U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa that provides a proactive and forward looking vision grounded in partnership. The new strategy sets forth four strategic objectives, as described below, and commits the United States to elevate its efforts on the first two of these four pillars: strengthening democratic institutions and spurring economic growth, trade and investment. • Strengthen Democratic Institutions: The new strategy commits the United States to work to advance democracy by...

Contents of the letter addressed to members of the US Congress relating to the pending expiry of AGOA's third country fabric provisions. The Honorable Max Baucus Chairman Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Orrin Hatch Ranking Member Committee on Finance United States Senate Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Dave Camp Chairman Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515The Honorable Sander Levin Ranking Member Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives...

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnny Carson and Deputy Trade Representative Ambassador Demetrios Marantis On U.S. Trade and Investment Policy in Africa and the Upcoming AGOA Forum: MR. VENTRELL: Hi, everyone, and good afternoon. Thanks for being patient as we're a couple minutes late here today. But today's call is on-the-record. We have with us Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, and Deputy Trade Representative Ambassador Demetrios Marantis. They're both here to discuss and to preview U.S....

A clause in a U.S. trade law designed to stimulate trade with Africa is set to expire Sept. 30 and, so far, there appears little prospect that it will be renewed by Congress.At issue is a provision in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which was passed with bipartisan support by Congress in 2000 and gives 40 African countries tariff-free access to the U.S. market. Some 90% of exports to the U.S. from Africa since then have been oil.But a clause called the “third-country fabric rule” has been successful in encouraging the growth of...

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on Wednesday pressed Congress to quickly renew an expiring trade benefit that has nourished the African clothing industry over the past decade, saying it was crucial for the survival of many African producers."There are literally millions of lives and jobs that would be impacted if we can't get it resolved quickly," Kirk said in a speech at the Brookings Institution, expressing frustration that the issue has been "caught up in the politics of the moment."Kirk spoke ahead of an annual forum with sub-Saharan...

U.S. and African leaders are meeting June 14-15 at the 2012 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Washington for talks focused on enhancing African infrastructure, which a U.S. State Department economist says is key to unlocking the continent's potential.Amy Holman, economic policy director for the department's Bureau of African Affairs, said in a June 12 AGOA briefing that Africa's lacking infrastructure poses a major challenge to its trade, investment and growth."We've seen that in the case of bilateral trade, and even more...

On June 14, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver opening remarks for the 2012 U.S. AGOA Forum. The AGOA Forum will focus on enhancing infrastructure development in Africa in four ways: (1) promoting an improved business climate and effective regulation that will encourage private-public partnerships; (2) increasing regional economic integration through strategic development of regional transportation corridors, regional power pools, and power generation capacity that can be shared across borders; (3) highlighting...

Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson will give a keynote address at the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Session of the 2012 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum on June 13, 2012. The CSO Session will be held from June 12-14, 2012, in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday June 12, opening day activities will take place at the Washington Plaza Hotel then move to the Woodrow Wilson Center and the Brookings Institution on Wednesday, June 13. On June 15, CSOs will present their recommendations to delegates during the AGOA Ministerial Session at...

The 2012 AGOA Forum takes place in Washington DC in the week beginning 11 June 2012, and brings together civil society, private sector and government stakeholders from across Africa and the United States. Most of the programme details have been finalised and an overview of the key events is provided below.  Monday and Tuesday, June 11-12, 2012. Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa’s 2012 US-Africa Forum, on “Farming Is a Business: Strengthening Linkages and Skills to Transform Africa’s Food Systems.” The forum will...

The U.S. Department of State, in conjunction with several U.S. Government agencies, will host the eleventh annual U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum, commonly known as the AGOA Forum, June 14-15, 2012 in Washington, D.C.The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the United States Government's signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa, and is the parent legislation of the Forum.The 2012 AGOA Forum will focus on enhancing infrastructure development in Africa in promoting an improved business climate and effective...

African Growth and Opportunity Act - Nigeria’s exports to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act( AGOA) scheme in the last 10 years have hit US$44.3 billion, amid a growing call by the U.S. to increase the export profile ahead of the scheme's extension to Asian countries, which could pose stiffer competition for Africa. The private Guardian newspaper reported Friday that the Economic Counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Perry Bell, gave the figure. Mr. Bell also put the volume of the two-way trade under the Act at...

West African customs officials from nine countries are working with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials to improve compliance with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) during a two-day workshop in Accra, Ghana, sponsored by the USAID West Africa Trade Hub. “AGOA has helped West African exporters compete in the U.S. market, but it does require strict compliance with procedures and documentation,” said Abou Fall, the AGOA Services Manager at the USAID Trade Hub. “This workshop brings together the customs officials from both...

Zambia’s exports to the United States of America (USA) still remain undesirable at only US$47.3million compared to imports of US$129 million recorded last year, says a government official.Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Keith Mukata says the country should move away from being a mere producer and supplier of raw materials to producer of value-added products to ensure a trade balance between the two countries.“I note with concern that trade figures between the two countries are quite low. These clearly are not desirable...

The US capital is set next week to host the 11 th annual US-sub-Saharan Africa trade forum commonly known as the AGOA Forum. AGOA, an abbreviation for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, is an Act is designed to strengthen trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa by creating a preferential trade and investment relationship. Since its inception in 2000, about 38 African countries are currently benefiting from AGOA. The legislation, first passed in 2000, has already had an important impact on increasing exports to the U.S....

Crude oil exports from Nigeria to the United States rose to $34 billion in the year 2011; from $31 billion and $19 billion in 2010 and 2009 respectively.Within the same period, the figures for non-oil export rose from $101 million in 2009 to $115 million and $150 million in 2010 and 2011 respectively.These figures were presented by the Economic Counsellor of the US Embassy, Mr. Perry Ball, at a recent media briefing held in Abuja.He also added that the success of the amnesty programme of late President Yar’Adua was responsible for the rise...

Africa has become the next economic frontier, thanks to outstanding recent growth, new reforms and better governance across the continent, according to Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Florizelle Liser."With the kinds of growth rates that we see, the reforms that have taken place in many sub-Saharan African countries, the ... business reforms that they have made, the leadership that we're now seeing on the continent and advances in democracy [and] fewer conflicts, we recognize that Africa's time has come," Liser said in...

The United States may jeopardize its relationship with 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa if Congress does not act urgently to extend a provision of a trade law which allows African-manufactured apparel to be more easily exported to U.S. markets.There are six days remaining for legislative business in the Congress prior to the 2012 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum that will take place on June 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C. Failure to extend the provision, arising either from inertia or deliberate inaction by some members of...

With the renewal of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) provision of sourcing fabric beyond September 2012, the apparel sector in Swaziland and other African countries will expand its operations and more jobs expected to be created. Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade Jabulile Mashwama said next month, African ministers of trade of the AGOA beneficiary countries would be meet with the United States government for the annual AGOA forum. She said the forum would be happening at a time when the provision that allowed AGOA...

US Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, today toured Ecosandals, a company co-founded by Delaware native Matt Meyer in the Nairobi neighborhood of Korogocho. "As we shift the U.S. mentality toward Africa from aid to trade, local businesses like Ecosandals are the perfect example of how to create good, quality jobs, and I'm so proud a Delawarean helped to found this company," Senator Coons said. "It was a pleasure to visit Ecosandals today, and to talk with Matt and some of...

Economists say Africa will grow by 5.5 percent in 2012, with seven African countries expected to rank among the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world during the next five years, projections that are making the continent an increasingly popular destination for foreign investors."There is a new story emerging about Africa; a story of growth, progress, potential and profitability," global business consulting company Ernst & Young said in a May report on Africa's attractiveness for foreign direct investment (FDI)."Africa certainly has all...

Traditional weavers in Addis Abeba are to receive traditional weaving and design training starting this June to help them produce exportable products. Benefiting from a 3.8 million Br injection from the USAID’s Competitiveness and Trade Expansion Program (COMPETE), the project brings together the Centre for African Women Economic Empowerment (CAWEE), as project owner, and two companies owned by Sara Abera, Sara Garment Designers and Manufacturers (SGDM) and Muya Abyssinia Craft, as project implementers. The total project cost is 6.3...

The US has encouraged African countries to look at it as among markets they could benefit from.The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, said African countries should not only look at American products, but also consider the country as their market.He made these remarks last Thursday evening when briefing journalists on the US policy on Africa through teleconference.He said the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) opened up the US market to 5,000 products from Africa to enter the US duty free....

The local textile sector's continued duty and quota free access to the US market will be decided mid-June, even as the country's sole exporter to that market notes lower orders caused by uncertain buyers planning for all eventualities.Last year, Botswana exported products worth US$17 million (P125.8 million) under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), with textiles accounting for US$15 million and the balance comprising of jewellery, crafts and furniture.However, in September a key provision allowing local textile manufacturers to...

Zambia’s export to the United States of America (USA) under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) last year rose to US$47.3 million from $26.9 million registered in 2010.But Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Robert Sichinga (right) said the trade figures between the two countries were still low.Mr Sichinga said while Zambia’s exports to USA were growing, the figures remained far below the country’s import from USA.He said for example, last year, exports to the USA from Zambia stood at a mere $47.3 million, while imports were at...

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has boosted exponentially the United States’ trade with sub-Saharan Africa and remains the “centerpiece” of U.S. economic engagement with the region, according to Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.Speaking ahead of the annual AGOA forum, scheduled to take place in Washington June 14–15, Carson said the pivotal economic development program “remains very relevant today not only for the trade preferences it provides eligible African countries, but also for the...

The Trade Advisory Committee on Africa meets with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk in Washington to discuss trade policy and initiatives in Africa.The Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA) met with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on May 11 in Washington to discuss trade policy and initiatives in Africa. This TACA meeting, the first of 2012, was held in advance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum the United States will host in mid-June.Committee members represent financial institutions, trade associations, academia...

The United States Trade Representative has confirmed that the Administration is committed to boosting trade with African nations through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and, in that respect, renewal of its Third-Country Fabric (TCF) provision is seen as crucial.AGOA was signed into law by President Clinton in May 2000, with the objectives of expanding US trade and investment with sub-Saharan Africa, stimulating economic growth, promoting a high-level dialogue on trade and investment-related issues, and facilitating sub-Saharan...

The ambassadors of Mauritius and Zambia to the US have made a joint appeal to the US Congress to extend the third-country fabric provision under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) for the benefit of workers and businesses in the African countries as well as in the US. They said the passage of legislations S. 2007 and H.R. 2493 would enable the US to continue to receive high-quality textiles and apparels from Africa at competitive prices.  The third-country fabric rule allows AGOA beneficiary countries to use yarns and fabrics...

The fate of 40,000 factory workers facing possible lay off at Export Processing Zone will be determined at a meeting in the US next month.US ambassador Scott Gration said a meeting has been called in Washington DC in June to discuss renewal of certain provisions in the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (Agoa) that offer privileges to countries like Kenya to export certain products to US market.On Tuesday, Kenya Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZ) expressed fear that the delay in renewal of the third country fabric, a provision in the Agoa Act...

Fact Sheet:The United States is committed to boosting trade with African and Latin American nations through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), our trade preference program for sub-Saharan Africa and our Central America - Dominican Republic - United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The urgent changes needed to AGOA and CAFTA-DR would build on two key U.S. trade initiatives that support trade and investment for more than forty-five of America's developing country partners in Africa and the Western Hemisphere - offering...

Over 40,000 workers in apparel industry are likely to lose their jobs by September if the third country fabric provision is not renewed in time. The third country fabric is a provision in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) that allows American firms to import duty free apparels from Sub-Saharan Africa. On September 30, the provision will expire without much commitment to renewal threatening lives of many – mostly women who work in the apparel sector. “Third country fabric is the most successful components of Agoa...

Time is running out for Congress to save jobs on both sides of the Atlantic by renewing the third-country fabric provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in just a few months.AGOA provides duty-free entry for more than six thousand items from Sub-Saharan African countries to the United States, making it the most comprehensive trade and investment package between Africa and America. In the textiles and apparel sector, it provides essential certainty and predictability for American manufacturers and...

The USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub and government are set to kick-off a sector-wide study into the country's ailing textile and apparel industry, as more figures emerge confirming the downtrend in local textile exports.For the past two years, the textile and apparel sector has been supported by a P38 million government bailout that expired in December.The sector has been teetering again, in the aftermath of the bailout's expiry, with the sole exporter of garments to the US, announcing it would shed 500 jobs or a third of its workforce this...

This week, senior government officials from sub-Saharan African countries have been meeting in Washington to deliberate on trade relations between Africa and the United States. The forum, organized by the African Union Mission in United States, was supposed to focus on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The emerging consensus from this forum is that future of U.S.-African relations are dependent on Congress extending the third country fabric provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) within the next...

Imagine you're standing on the side of a river, watching a man drown. He's not very far offshore, and he's pleading with you to help him. There's a rope lying on the ground next to you. What do you do?The answer is simple – you throw the man a line.Unfortunately for the African apparel industry, the answer to this question has been elusive within the halls of the US Congress. As I write this, over two hundred thousand (yes, 200,000) jobs are sinking into oblivion, all for the want of a very simple, uncontroversial piece of trade...

Growing optimism and confidence among international and local investors has led to significant inward investment into the continent over the last decade, according to professional services firm, Ernst & Young's second African Attractiveness Survey.The number of new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Africa grew in 2011, with project numbers almost up to levels last seen in 2008. In the last decade, Africa has seen an increase in inward investment from 339 new projects in 2003 to 857 in 2011 (an increase of 153%). Investment has come...

The Budget Committee comprising of Members of Kenyan Parliament has suggested the Government should give a 10-year tax holiday for large textile companies that use only domestic workforce in production and also manufactures goods only from locally available raw materials.The recommendations have come at a time when textile manufacturing companies in Kenya, and other African countries, are nearing the September 2012 deadline of third country fabric provision under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA).The Budget Policy Statement...