Senate Passes African Growth and Opportunity Act
By a voice vote, the Senate yesterday passed H.R. 4103, legislation that would renew The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until 2015. The measure, identical to the bill that passed the House of Representatives on June 14, 2004, is expected to soon be signed into law by President Bush.
The Act's main provision lets sub-Saharan African nations to sell to the United States, duty-free, textiles that are made from yarn and fabrics coming from third countries. That provision was set to expire on September 30, 2004 and was extended for three years.
Thirty seven of the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa qualify for the AGOA's benefits. In December 2003, the Bush Administration added Angola to the list of eligible countries, while removing the Central African Republic and Eritrea for failing to meet eligibility criteria.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says imports covered by AGOA increased to $14 billion in 2003, a 55% increase from 2002.
|posted by Douglas N. Jacobson| Permalink 
