... to benefit from possible extension of AGOA

Ball bearings

Dextrins

Other commodities not elsewhere specified

E 2 539 090.96

E 2444 348.76

E2 198 234.80

MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini is set to continue enjoying the preferential markets provided by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

,t has been reported that talNs are underway for the renewal of the two-decade-old Act which was due to e[pire in 2025.

African countries wanted a 10-year renewal of the pact ahead of the 2024 86 election. 3resident -oe %iden¶s administration is also seeNing the programme¶s reauthorisation but has called for certain reforms.

A trade programme that grants e[ports from Tualifying African countries duty-free access to the 86 marNet should be e[tended by 16 years said 'emocratic 6enator &hris &oons a leading voice on 86-Africa policy.

Agreement

Bells and other metal ornaments

Machinery having individual functions

&oons a member of the 6enate )oreign 5elations &ommittee has sponsored a %ill that seeNs to integrate AGOA and the African &ontinental )ree 7rade Agreement which includes the maMority of African nations.

According to a draft version of the %ill e[clusively obtained by 5euters the programme would maintain benefits for countries as they grow wealthier allowing them to remain until

E265 442.80

E252 170.66 they are determined to be high-income for five years instead of removing them if they reach that threshold for a single year.

7he 0inister of &ommerce ,ndustry and 7rade 0anToba .humalo told this publication that this was a very welcomed development and he believed the country¶s e[porters should ready themselves to ma[imise the use of AGOA.

Extended

0inister .humalo said they had been lobbying hard as a country and the 6outhern African &ustoms 8nion 6A&8 the 6outhern African 'evelopment &ommunity 6A'& the &ommon 0arNet for Eastern and 6outhern Africa &O0E6A and the African &ontinental )ree 7rade Area Af&)7A for AGOA to be e[tended.

³:e are facing a challenge of limited use of AGOA because of low or no production in some sectors and the te[tile sector. 7he price that AGOA offers has been lower than the regional marNet thus many e[porters prefer the regional marNets for obvious reasons. :e will looN for ways to help them optimise AGOA ´ he said.

8nder the %ill countries would be reviewed for eligibility every other year instead of annually as under the current statute. 7he 86 president and certain congressional leaders could review countries¶ eligibility out of cycle at a time.