Textiles anchors 53% jump in AGOA exports

Textiles contributed 87 percent of AGOA exports last year
Textiles contributed 87 percent of AGOA exports last year

Botswana exports to the United States under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) increased by over 50 percent between January and November 2014.

According to the statistics from US Department of Commerce, exports to US under AGOA increased 53 percent from $5.5 million (P52 million) to $8.5 million (P80 million) in the first 11 months of the year, mainly on the back of increase in textile and apparel.

In the period, total exports to the US, which were dominated by mostly diamonds, increased 16 percent from $246.3 million to $286.4 million. While Botswana is empowered to export 6,500 products under AGOA, textiles have benefited the most, being easy to establish with a relatively low cost of labour.

Editor's Comment
Gov't, unions must find common ground

The situation is exacerbated by the ruling party’s admission that some of its most important election promises remain unfulfilled. This is not the change many Batswana had expected. The UDC was elected into power on a strong promise to improve lives, create jobs, protect workers and repair public services. It is therefore, not enough for the party to point only to new ministries, policies and long-term plans. These may be necessary, but...

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