Plan to ban used clothes, shoes puts Agoa gains at risk
A secondhand clothes market. The proposed used clothes ban is aimed at promoting the region’s textile and leather industries. PHOTO | FILE |
East Africa’s eligibility to retain duty-free access to markets in the United States under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is at risk following concerns raised by Washington about the bloc’s decision to phase out the importation of second-hand clothes starting this year.
According to the US, the EAC presidents’ directive to ban importation of used clothing will not spur additional US textile and apparel investment in the region, which is largely export-oriented and based on Agoa tariff preferences.
