The reception was co-hosted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Speakers provided insight on the ongoing AGOA renewal process as well as encouraging attendance at the upcoming Source Africa Trade Show, which will take place from 9 - 11 June at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US Government trade preference program, offers certain African producers the opportunity to export a myriad of products including apparel, textiles and footwear, to the US with up to 35% reduction in duties. As a result, several recognised US brands and retailers are already sourcing from the region and taking great advantage of savings on both labour and duty rates.
According to Gail Strickler, AUSTR, "The AGOA renewal and Source Africa reception was an opportunity for apparel importers, brands and industry leaders to meet with representatives from the AGOA community and US government officials to learn more about the opportunities for duty free sourcing in African AGOA beneficiary countries. They met with Country representatives as well as organisers and participants from the Source Africa show being held in Cape Town in June to formulate their plans to attend this all important event."
Source Africa is Pan-Africa's most important textile, clothing and footwear trade event on the global calendar; it attracts over 1,600 international and regional buyers and will feature country pavilions as the centrepiece of more than 200 African exhibitors interested in growing their exports. Countries already represented at the event include South Africa, Mauritius, Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
The event will promote African manufacturers to both regional and international decision makers, with the aim to increase market share for the continent as well as develop regional trade between African countries.
Enterprise Mauritius will once again be exhibiting with more than 45 leading manufacturers from Mauritius. Says Geerish Bucktowonsing, Manager, Enterprise Mauritius, "South Africa is a very important market for Mauritius and Source Africa is the ideal platform for our manufacturers to network with local, regional and international buyers all under one roof. Our focus will be on strengthening our visibility in South Africa and to position Mauritius as a reliable sourcing destination for quality and high-end products. Enterprise Mauritius will host a top class fashion show on June, 11 in Cape Town alongside the event."
Says Darcy Mercier, Vice President, Sourcing - Apparel & Gear of Amer Sports Sourcing Limited, Hong Kong, "I attended Source Africa in 2014, and Cape Town as the host city was fantastic. My overall experience at Source Africa was positive and I would recommend the event to colleagues. I made contact with good quality manufacturers."
Top international speakers including will present a series of seminars including key topics such as AGOA Renewal - the next 10 years: Gail Strickler, AUSTR for Textiles and Apparel, USTR (United States Trade Representative); Rosa Whitaker, CEO & President, Whitaker Group, USA; Janet Labuda, Vice President Compliance, Vandegrift Forwarding, USA; Mark Neuman, Global Trade Advisor, MGF Sourcing, USA.
For more information, go to www.sourceafrica.co.za
