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Uganda
Hosts ATA Speaking
on AGOA was Uganda's President Museveni, Chairman
of the Common Market for East and Southern African
States (COMESA), who has emerged as one of the most
significant leaders in the developing world. Under
his helm, Uganda has distinguished itself as a
model post-conflict reformer - leading the world in
tackling HIV/AIDS, poverty, and illiteracy. Uganda,
the fastest growing economy in Africa, has
maintained an average growth rate of 6.5 percent
over the past ten years; reduced poverty from 56
percent to under 27 percent; decreased the rate of
HIV/AIDS infection from 30 percent to six percent
in 10 years; increased primary-level education from
40 percent to 99 percent in twelve years and leads
the developing world in empowering
women.
world in empowering women. |
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THE AGOA 3
Action Committee Washington
celebrates Historic Passage of Agoa
3 Leaders
from the US Congress, the administration, NGO'S,
the faith community, the African diplomatic corps
and the private sector gathered today to celebrate
passage of the African Growth and Opportunity
Acceleration Act of 2OO4 (AGOA 3) Honorees
who spoke at the gala reception organized by AGOA 3
Action Committee and its co--chair Rosa Whitaker
included Ambassador Robert Zoellick, the US Trade
Representative, Senator Charles Grassley, chairman
of the Senate Finance Committee, Congressman
Charles Rangel, ranking Democrat on the House Ways
and Means Committee, and Congressman Ed Royce,
chairman of the House International Relations
Committee's Africa subcommittee. There was
much to celebrate. The senate defied all precedent
on June 24 in approving, by unanimous consent and
without change, legislation passed by the House of
Representatives in May. Just a few weeks before the
Senate action, the Washington Post noted in a July
14 editorial, passage of the AGOA 3 looked "almost
impossible". Referring to the Action Committee, the
editorial continued: But an
imaginative coalition proved the impossible
possible. The business lobby -- the standard source
of advocacy for trade liberalization - made common
cause cause with surprising partners: religious
groups such as Bread for the world, antipoverty
spokesmen such as the rock star bono, and the
congressional Black Caucus. Thanks to this
coalition, the Africa deal, which gives
preferential access to the US market, went through
the Senate unopposed." But, as
Whitaker noted, even the most imaginative of
coalitions could have achieved nothing without
steadfast support and bipartisan leadership,, in
both Congress and the Administration, and the
dedication and determination of Africans themselves
as represented by their tireless diplomatic corps.
Whitaker paid special tribute to Lisa Barry, vice
president and general manager for governments
affairs at Chevron Texaco and to Alex Cummings and
Robert Lindsay, president and vice president
respectively of Coca Cola Africa, for their
outstanding contribution to the cause. She also
expressed the committee's deep gratitude to her
fellow co-chair Jack Kemp, founder and director of
Empower America. AGOA 3
extends AGOA from 2OO8 to 2O15, giving US Business
the certainly they need to consistently include
Africa in their global sourcing strategies. It
permits the emerging apparel sector in Africa's
poorest countries to keep using competitive inputs
to access the US Market, while encouraging
investment in expanded African textile production.
It also offers technical assistance and capacity
building. The Action
Committee, launched in June 2OO3, will remain
active to ensure AGOA 3's full and effective
implementation, Whitaker said. The Whitaker
Group 1725 15
street NW, Suite 3OO Washington DC
2OOO6 Tel; 2o2 349
3781 Fax: 2O2 349
37O6 Email: twg@thewhitakergroup.us |
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