Help for Haiti and AGOA programmes
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has welcomed moves in the US House of Representatives to renew assistance programmes for textile and apparel producers in Africa and Haiti.
Special status for exporters of textiles, apparel and other products from these economies came to an end on September 30 when the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) lapsed.
However, proposals are now in place for a three-year extension for both programmes.
The influential Committee on Ways and Means, which oversees programmes related to trade and financial matters, confirmed that sessions to review and amend HELP and AGOA were on its agenda for December 10.
If the committee can agree on the details of three-year extensions for both programmes, the proposals will go before the full House of Representatives to secure a vote of approval.
AAFA’s vice-president for trade and customs policy, Beth Hughes, said renewal of the programmes would be “a major win” for US workers, partners in Africa and Haiti and for US competitiveness.
“These programmes safeguard and support 3.6 million US workers while sustaining jobs abroad and opening markets for US cotton and textile exports,” she said. “Restoring them is urgent, cost-effective and exactly the kind of practical leadership our supply chains need.”
