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The decision by some countries, notably in East Africa, to consider a ban on the importation of worn clothing has elicited strong responses. A portion of imports of such worn clothing originates in the United States. This has led the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), recently announcing the initiation of an out-of-cycle review of the eligibility of the Republic of Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Uganda to receive benefits under...

Since the African Growth an Opportunity Act (AGOA) was launched by United States Government 17-years ago to promote industrialization, Sierra Leonean based companies are yet to export their produce to the US market due lack of proper documentation and certification. However, the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (SLCCIA) has engaged private sector executives on the Africa Growth Act (AGOA) documentation and certification of local products. The Chamber of Commerce held a training session, funded by USAID, for...

Among optimists, the proposal by East African Community (EAC) member states to ban the importation of used clothes by 2019 is great because it could spark the growth of a local textile industry in the bloc. But pessimists say the move will complicate the region’s trade arrangements with leading partners including the U.S. which is also a large exporter of used clothes to the region. It could also increase the cost of clothes in countries where the majority of the population is poor and lead to the import of new cheap clothes to...

The upward trend of garment exports from Africa, thanks in part to Bangladeshi investors, poses a threat to Bangladesh's second position in the global apparel trade. In 2016, garment exports from 39 sub-Saharan nations stood at $2.6 billion, according to data from the International Trade Centre. Industry insiders are tipping the shipments to cross the $3-billion mark this year. The countries enjoy duty-free and quota-free access for certain goods, including garment, to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). And one of...

Senior officials from Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda argued in Washington on Thursday that their collective phase-out of used clothing (mitumba) imports should not result in any loss of benefits from a US preferential trade programme. The representatives of the three East African Community (EAC) countries spoke in opposition to an effort by a US business association to restrict their eligibility for the trade initiative known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (Smart)...

The United States and Togo will co-host the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Lomé, Togo August 8-10. The Forum will bring together senior government officials from the United States and 38 Sub-Saharan African AGOA-eligible countries to discuss ways to boost economic cooperation and trade between the United States and Africa. The African Union and regional economic communities will also participate. The theme of this year’s Forum is “The United States and Africa: Partnering for Prosperity through Trade.” The 2017...