Obama vows "improved AGOA" during Africa visit

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to allow African countries to access the US market without paying duty will be "renewed and improved," US President Barack Obama says during his visit to Senegal."AGOA will end in two years time. But I will seek for modalities to renew and improve the law to regenerate more trade and employment opportunities," the US president told a joint press conference with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall.

He said the US will work more in the commercial sector with the West Africa region, noting that he had ordered his commerce secretary to finalize a new investment agreement with the 15- member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He noted that the US objective is to ensure expanded growth through its development programs.Regarding Senegal, Obama said the US will remain the most important partner.

"We shall build new roads and bridges to allow goods to reach the markets and ensure schools are built and connected to the Internet so that the students can expand their learning," he added.He also pledged that the US will invest in the agricultural sector on the African continent. "Our initiative on food security seeks to help farmers to develop new seeds that will ensure they increase production and income," he said.The US president, among others, promised to work closely with the Senegalese authorities in the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria.Obama arrived here on Wednesday on a three-nation African trip, which will also take him to South Africa and Tanzania.