U.S. Supports Trade and Investment in East Africa

Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and U.S. Ambassador Haslach look at merchandise from one of the exhibits at the fifth Origin
Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and U.S. Ambassador Haslach look at merchandise from one of the exhibits at the fifth Origin Africa Trade Expo. The expo builds on recent momentum of buyers to place orders with African textile and apparel manufacturers.
Robert Sauers, USAID Ethiopia

In one year, U.S. Trade Africa project facilitates $80 million in exports to the U.S. under AGOA

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, October 21, 2015
David Kahrmann
+251-111-306-937

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia M. Haslach joined President Mulatu Teshome at the Origin Africa presents: Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week trade expo to promote East African countries as sourcing and investment destinations for international buyers of apparel, textile, leather, and home decor. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported trade expo is a prime opportunity to raise the profile of East African designers and manufacturers, and draw investment to the region.

President Obama launched the Trade Africa initiative in 2013 to boost trade and investment with and within East Africa. The initiative boosts trade and investment in East Africa through the USAID-funded East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. Since its launch in November 2014, the East Africa Trade and Investment Hub has facilitated 170 linkages between buyers and East African firms, yielding $80 million in exports to the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). More than $16 million of these exports were from Ethiopia. Through AGOA, the U.S. Government promotes African trade competitiveness, job growth, and poverty reduction. Under AGOA, nearly 6,400 qualifying items can be exported to the U.S. without import duties.

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia Haslach checks some of the quality merchandise on display at the international trade fair d
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia Haslach checks some of the quality merchandise on display at the international trade fair dedicated to improving trade in African cotton, textile and apparel.
Robert Sauers, USAID Ethiopia

“The United States Government is proud to support Ethiopia and other African countries as they work to change perceptions about investing in Africa in order to attract the domestic and foreign investment needed to continue driving this growth,” said Ambassador Haslach. “We believe in Africa.”

The East Africa Trade and Investment Hub partners with the private sector and local governments to find practical solutions for trade and investment constraints. It also builds awareness around opportunities for African and U.S. firms to increase trade, expand business partnerships, and invest in East Africa.

To learn more about trade capacity building and market linkage opportunities under AGOA, contact the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub, info@eatradehub.org.

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See also

Additional photos [Flickr]

Press Release Origin Africa Trade Expo 10-21-15 [PDF, 76kb]

Press Release Origin Africa Trade Expo Amharic 10-21-15 [PDF, 304kb]

Ambassador Remarks Origin Africa Trade Expo 10-21-15 [PDF, 37kb]

USAID Ethiopia Economic Growth and Trade