The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) eligibility for trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) has been reinstated.
US Ambassador to the DRC, Mike Hammer, said this was thanks to the country’s efforts to reform and strengthen its democratic institutions, protect human rights, and combat corruption.
“The reinstatement recognises the DRC’s progress towards establishing a market-based economy, rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process, as well as eliminating barriers to US trade and investment, and enacting policies to reduce poverty and protect human rights,” said Hammer, who made the announced in December last year.
“The return of DRC to Agoa is a significant achievement that is a clear manifestation of our Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.”
The United States had established the US-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in 2019 to combat corruption, protect human rights, strengthen democratic institutions, confront potential pandemics, promote peace and security, build a stronger bilateral relationship, and deliver results for the US and Congolese people, he added.
Agoa provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 1 800 products, in addition to the more than 5 000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalised System of Preferences programme.
