Statement of Florizelle B. Liser, Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa, Office of the US Trade Representative, before the House Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee o Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. Five years after its implementation, the African Growth Opportunity Act is having a tremendously positive impact. The impetus for AGOA grew out of recognition - both in the United States and in Africa - that trade can be an important tool for increasing US-African engagement and can serve as an engine for African economic growth and development. Passage of AGOA in 2000 was a major bipartisan achievement supported by African countries as well as private sector, faith-based, civil rights and non-governmental organisations. Congress and the Bush Administration have demonstrated a continuing commitment to AGOA, twice amending it to enhance and extend its benefits - via the Trade Act of 2002 and the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004.
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