The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and its Rules of Origin: Generosity Undermined?

Author/Editor:

Arvind Subramanian ; Aaditya Mattoo ; Devesh Roy

Publication Date:

September 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper describes the United States recently enacted Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and assesses its quantitative impact on African exports. The AGOA expands the scope of preferential access of Africa's exports to the United States in key areas such as clothing. However, its medium term benefits estimated at about US$100-$140 million, an 8 11 percent addition to current non-oil exports would have been nearly five times greater (US$540 million) if no restrictive conditions had been imposed on the terms of market access. The most important of these conditions are the rules of origin with which African exporters of clothing must comply to benefit from duty-free access.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/158

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

September 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451857597/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1582002

Pages:

36

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