AGOA: the case of Ethiopian textile sub-sector

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is review the commitment made by the Government and the private sector and pinpoints the specific challenges Ethiopian exporters face in utilizing AGOA. The methodology to be adopted will basically be in-depth interviews with relevant government officials, USAID officials, Ethiopian Exporters using AGOA. The findings of this paper are based on opportunities and challenges. The opportunities are trade preferences for quota- and duty-free entry into the United States; government of Ethiopia provides incentives to those engaged in exporting under AGOA; government has privatized textile and garment industry thus leading to a surge of new investors in the textile sub-sector; and government and USAID have set up an office in the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce.