US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title I — Enhancement of the African Growth and Opportunity Act

115th Congress · Approved Apr 23, 2018 · 132 Stat. 1276 · Lineage

TITLE I Enhancement of the African Growth and Opportunity Act

SEC. 101. Statement of Policy.

It is the policy of the United States to support efforts to—
(1)
improve the rule of law, promote free and fair elections, strengthen and expand the private sector, and fight corruption in sub-Saharan Africa; and
(2)
promote the role of women in social, political, and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa.

SEC. 102. Definitions.

In this title—
(1)
Agoa website.— The term “AGOA Website” means the website established pursuant to section 103(a).
(2)
Eligible sub-saharan african country.— The term “eligible sub-Saharan African country” means a country that the President has determined meets the eligibility requirements set forth in section 104 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3703).

SEC. 103. Activities in Support of Transparency.

(a)
AGOA Website.—
(1)
In general.— The President shall establish a publicly available website for the collection and dissemination of information regarding the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).
(2)
Contents.— The President shall publish on the AGOA Website the information described in paragraph (1), including—
(A)
information and technical assistance provided at United States Agency for International Development regional trade hubs; and
(B)
a link to the websites of United States embassies located in eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
(3)
Actions by united states embassies.— The Secretary of State should direct United States embassies located in eligible sub-Saharan African countries to—
(A)
encourage individuals and businesses in such countries to use the benefits available under the African Growth and Opportunity Act; and
(B)
include a link to the AGOA Website on the websites of such diplomatic missions.
(b)
AGOA Forum.— After each meeting of the United States–Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, the President should publish on the AGOA Website the following:
(1)
The outcomes of the meeting of the Forum, including any commitments made by member countries and the private sector.
(2)
An assessment of progress made with respect to any commitments made by member countries and the private sector from the previous meeting of the Forum.
(c)
Other Information.— The President should disseminate the information required under this section in a digital format to the public and publish such information on the AGOA Website.

SEC. 104. Activities in Support of Trade Capacity Building.

The President should—
(1)
develop and implement policies that—
(A)
encourage and facilitate cross-boundary cooperation among eligible sub-Saharan African countries in order to facilitate trade; and
(B)
encourage the provision of technical assistance to eligible sub-Saharan African countries to establish and sustain adequate trade capacity development;
(2)
provide specific training for businesses in eligible sub-Saharan African countries and government trade officials of such countries on accessing the benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and other trade preference programs;
(3)
provide capacity building for African entrepreneurs and trade associations on production strategies, quality standards, formation of cooperatives, market research, and market development;
(4)
provide capacity building training to promote diversification of African products and value-added processing; and
(5)
provide capacity building and technical assistance funding for African businesses and institutions to help such businesses and institutions comply with United States counterterrorism initiatives and policies.