EZULWINI:Caitlin Piper,the United States(U.S) Embassy Eswatini Chargé d’ Affaires has congratulated the Kingdom of eSwatini after President Joe Biden re-confirmed the country’s eligibility on the African Growth and Opportunity Act(AGOA).
Speaking during the Eswatini Exporter Awards and Peer learning event held at the Happy Valley Hotel on Friday, the Chargé d’ Affaires highlighted the significance of maintaining Eswatini's eligibility for benefits under AGOA.
“We are very pleased,President Biden determined Eswatini will remain eligible for benefits under AGOA during the 2024 calendar year, which maintains the duty-free access to the United States its firms currently enjoy.To maintain eligibility, Eswatini–and all AGOA countries-must demonstrate continual progress in a variety of areas including the elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment; economic policies to reduce poverty; a system to combat corruption and bribery; rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process; and protection of internationally recognized workers rights and human rights”, she said as quoted by the Embassy’s online platforms.
AGOA is one of the economic contributors in eSwatini economic development, it enables eSwatini companies to sell goods to the US market without paying tax.
United States(US) Chargé d’ Affaires Caitlin Piper congratulates eSwatini as President Joe Biden re-confirms AGOA eligibility but emphasized significance on respect for human rights.