Nearly ten years old, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) continues to be the cornerstone of commercial and economic relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.
This was affirmed at the AGOA Forum in Nairobi this month by ministers from 40 African countries, the high-level U.S. delegation adroitly led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and hundreds of representatives from the private sector and civil society.
Participants in the Nairobi forum also agreed that AGOA’s promise is not fully realized.
High Hopes
When AGOA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in May 2000 there were great expectations. These only increased as President George W. Bush extended the law three times.
The legislation positioned trade to be as important to economic development as traditional assistance. There was a belief that AGOA would be a stimulus for a ramping up of light manufacturing on the continent, a precursor to more industrial and value-added production.
American companies were also expected to take advantage of sharply reduced tariffs and duties on 6,500 products and to increase investments on the continent.
Equally important, African governments warmly welcomed the prospect of closer commercial ties with the U.S. and the opportunity to move away from donor handouts.
While trade relations between the U.S and Africa have grown fourfold in the period leading up to 2008, non-oil trade accounts for just five percent of the $105 billion trade. Only 50 of the 6,500 exempted AGOA categories have been utilized, and the trend line is not positive given the global economic downturn.
In short, the stimulus to light manufacturing and business development has been minimal, at best.
Mixed Scorecard
True, AGOA has scored important accomplishments. In Lesotho today, more people work in the private than in the public sector due to the legislation. Apparel with labels that say “Made in Kenya” or in Swaziland or Madagascar, can be found in American stores next to apparel manufactured in Poland, Mexico and Canada. This could be a powerful boost for Africa’s image if sustained.
But the reality is that only a handful of African countries benefit from AGOA, and American companies outside the extractive sectors have not rushed to take advantage of lowered tariffs and duties.
Strengthening the Framework
So how do we make AGOA more relevant? Here are some suggestions.
Congress should reduce to zero the tax on repatriated earnings from investments by U.S. companies in manufacturing, agricultural, alternative energy and infrastructure projects that foster job creation and skills training.
Not only would this respond to a persistent appeal by African governments for greater U.S. investment but it would lower the risk and increase the return to American companies. It would also level the playing field, as many European companies already enjoy such incentives. The cost of the incentive to the U.S. would be minimal, less than our aid program in Rwanda.
A second suggestion would be to extend AGOA for another ten years, past its current expiration date of 2015. The importance of long and secure investment and trade horizons cannot be underestimated.
Thirdly, the Obama administration should help strengthen the capacity of Africa’s private sector by increasing significantly its investment in business training services and credit facilities. Without a stronger private sector, American companies will not have the strong commercial partners they need, and African companies will not be able to exploit their natural advantage in export diversification and local market expansion.
Africa’s Role
AGOA formalized a partnership with African governments who have a critical role to play in generating benefits from the program.
Simply put, these governments have to do more to improve their competitiveness. In the World Bank’s annual ease of doing business report, for example, the average ranking of African countries is 138 out of 181 countries. Corruption, bureaucratic bottlenecks and barriers to regional trade, among other impediments, have to be addressed more assiduously.
Finally, there has been a persistent appeal by a number of African governments for the U.S. to reduce trade barriers to cotton, sugar, peanuts and other agricultural products.
On this, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk was correct when, at the AGOA Forum, he called on African governments to help conclude the Doha Round of world trade talks so that these barriers can be reduced, not just by the U.S. but also by the European Union and every other country, of which there are many, which retains costly barriers to the importation of African products.
AGOA remains as relevant as ever to Africa’s development prospects. All stakeholders, however, have to increase their efforts if AGOA’s genuine potential is to be achieved.
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THEY COME TO :
STEAL OUR ECONOMY
KILL OUR INITIATIVE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT
DESTROY OUR FAMILIES
1) INFERIORITY = CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Currency Exchange is designed to puff up certain peoples and nations over others. The numbers are constantly telling some that they are inferior to others. The problem intensifies when those being manipulated by this financial scam buy in to this wicked scheme.
Whats the solution to INFERIORITY CURRENCY EXCHANGE ? Stop giving away our souls one piece of money ( dollar , pound, franc, rand, deniro, rupal, euro, Chinese renminbi, rupee, Russian ruble,etc..) at-a-time .
Do research on what price your product gets in the so-called First World countries. And demand that price. This will not work unless people at the local areas do this together. Form Co-Ops and agree to charge the prices you deserve.
2) INFERIORITY = Pay by Time
There is another system used to oppress people that feeds the business owners with a lust for MORE profit. One year they may have profits of 50%, the next year they may have profits of 100%, the next year their profits may only be 75%. The system in the world will consider that going from 100% profits to 75% profits is bad for business.
How is that bad ? Profits are profits ! Many businesses have different levels of pay for the same workers.; levels such as :
a) Top Salaries Private and only known to each individual workers b) Medium Salaries Private c) Lower Salaries Private and only known to each individual workers d) High Hourly Wages e) Medium Hourly Wages f) Minimum Hourly Wages
I suggest that EVERY WORKER SHOULD BE PAID A LIVING WAGE. The Minimum Wage is like a financial ball and chain ; only giving those receiving it just enough to live to see the next day.
The Living Wage allows workers to live, invest, spend, save, and thrive. We can dream about having our own businesses , then wake up and attain our dreams. This is great for the businesses that pay Living Wages. For this creates new customers and new generations of customers.
As long as the system of Living Wages is in place, there will be a thriving economy and a blooming world full of optimistic activities. But it will only happen when business owners see the benefit of paying more pennies to make more dollars ! Which of you business owners will have the insight, recognition, roots, understanding, initiative, moxy, & compassion to make the step most are afraid to make.
THE TRUTH ABOUT DIAMONDS
Did You Know That The Robbers Have Warehouses Full Of 55 Gallon Drums Each Full Of Raw Uncut Diamonds ?
The Wicked Are Using The Same Schemes On Us. : 1) They Hoard Riches ; Controlling The Supply So Well Think The Supply Is Low 2) This Scheme Helps Them To Get A Higher Price & Deceives Most Of Us Into Believing That Things ( Such As Diamonds, Gold, Oil, Etc..) Are In Short Supply & Even Due To Run Out.
Diamonds Are In Abundance And Their Supply Is Being Controlled By Persons Under The Control Of Spiritual Wickedness In High Places (Ephesians 6:12) .
We Saints Serve An Infinite God, What He Placed Here On This Earth For His Children Is Also Infinite. When You See A Volcano Or Magma ; The Liquid Land Flowing Out Of Volcanos, Think Of Growth. The Earth Is Steady Growing.
Once God Settles Things With The Rightreous & Un-Righteous . [Definition Righteous Means The Desire To Do Right ]
Diamonds Are In Abundance And Their Supply Is Being Controlled By Persons Under The Control Of Spiritual Wickedness In High Places (Ephesians 6:12) . [http://janineroberts.org/]
1. The Bakken Oil Field Find
2. 55 gallon drums fulls of unprocessed diamonds.
* These are just a few of the suppressed world riches this beautiful world created by God (Jehovah, Father of Jesus Christ)..
3. Minister Lindsey Williams has known for 30 years of a major oil find in Alaska.
* He says that he sat in on meetings of the rich and powerful. These men decided not to use this oil to help America.
* Beware Africans, the wolves of deception are always around riches.
* Hosea said we perish for two reasons. Most people only remember one reason why we perish.
- Hosea said MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
- AND because they REJECT KNOWLEDGE
- In other words, they DONT KNOW & THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW !!!!
4. For those who want to know I suggest you guys who can get the Internet do these things :
a) Listen to broadcasts like : Alex Jones (Infowars), Derry Brownfield, The Power Hour
(Joyce & Dave), Jeff Rense, and other broadcasts on the Genesis Communications Network.
b) Heres an appetizer of information on the subjects I have just written on :
Do a search use IX Quick search engine .They dont record your computers address ; protect your privacy [ http://ixquick.com/]
Here are three(s) separate subjects that I mentioned that you can search for
(i) Bakken Oil Field Find
(ii) Lindsey Williams (YouTube videos)
(iii) Janine Roberts :Glitter & Greed : The Secret World of The Diamond Cartel
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.
Our only enemies are in Hell , waiting for their life-sentence of damnation.
You are in my prayers. Pray for each other too
Have Faith in God and Love for each other. May The Lord God Bless You real good
The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]
[Check Out :
3) Who Brought The Slaves To America ? URL = [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuzhnKy63io ] Or [http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=911]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/] Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6