some countries that make significant use of AGOA, the low-skill apparel production which AGOA has spurred has not led to the production of higher-skill manufactured products. The ACTIF mission was an unqualified success in launching the discussion in Washington over renewal of AGOA beyond 2015. It was clear, however, that given the numerous other serious issues that require its attention, it will be difficult to convince Congress to act to renew AGOA prior to 2015. Once Congress focuses its attention on AGOA renewal, budget issues will
The discussions produced a joint statement on the need for prompt action to renew AGOA. The delegation discussed pertinent issues with stakeholders including the growing urgency for AGOA’s renewal arguing that this needs to be done within 2014. The delegation highlighted that any delay into 2015 raises the serious risk of devastating job losses, much worse than those experienced in 2012 when renewal of the AGOA third‐country fabric provision was delayed until the last minute.
15 years. The team also suggested that the AGOA Third‐Country Fabric provision, which accounts for more than 90% of AGOA apparel imports, must be renewed for the full term of the extension of AGOA. ACTIF had a series of meetings with various groups. They included Congressional meetings with representatives from both Democrats and Republicans, the private sector including US apparel importers and retailers, The National Council of Textile Organization (NCTO), Think Tanks, NGOs and the African
ACTIF Chairman, Mr. Jaswinder Bedi giving a speech at the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) meeting in Washington DC.
make it difficult to fund the proposed extension for at least 15 years. Moreover, various new participants in the AGOA process are proposing various “improvements” to AGOA, some of which are likely to be controversial and could delay the renewal process. The ACTIF delegation met twice with representatives of the U.S. apparel importers and retailers.
JAN-MARCH 2014
The other issue was the period of the AGOA Act. The team argued that the renewal must be fora sustainably long period of time in order to provide the stability and predictability necessary to attract investment particularly in the context of the development of regionally integrated value chains in the capital‐ intensive textile sector. The ACTIF delegation recommended that the renewal must be for no less than
| FIBRE TO FASHION African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation
Diplomatic Corp. The African Diplomatic Corp has been on the forefront of pushing for the AGOA renewal. Their meeting with ACTIF saw a revision of ACTIF’s position on the period of the renewal from 15 -20 years to not less than 15 years. The ACTIF delegation resolved to continue the momentum in the campaign to convince Congress to renew AGOA.
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