The data, compiled by the US Department of Commerce and released recently by the Southern Africa Trade Hub, also pegs local AGOA textile exports for 2012 at US$10.4 million (P88.8 million). The figure is a 31 percent fall from the US$15 million (P128.1 million) recorded in 2011.The first quarter and full year 2012 figures indicate that Botswana continues to fall significantly behind other African states in the total utilisation of AGOA's duty and quota free textile export provisions.
The data indicates that Lesotho continues to lead the continent with US$74.9 million (P640 million) in textile exports to the US in the first quarter of the year, followed by Kenya with US$71.4 million (P610 million) and Mauritius with US$43 million (P367.2 million).In terms of total AGOA textile exports in 2012, Botswana is ranked sixth in Africa after Lesotho, Kenya, Mauritius, Swaziland and Ethiopia.Observers said the generally lower local textile exports to the US were due to challenges local manufacturers faced last year, specifically the uncertainty and delays in the renewal of a key provision within AGOA.
