To extend and modify the trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

April 1, 2004

Mr. THOMAS (for himself, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. CRANE, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. HOUGHTON, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Ms. DUNN, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. WELLER, Mr. BRADY of Texas, and Mr. PAYNE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

To extend and modify the trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) The African Growth and Opportunity Act (in this section and section 3 referred to as `the Act') has helped to spur economic growth and bolster economic reforms in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and has fostered stronger economic ties between the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the United States; as a result, exports from the United States to sub-Saharan Africa reached record levels after the enactment of the Act, while exports from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States have increased considerably.

(2) The Act's eligibility requirements have reinforced democratic values and the rule of law, and have strengthened adherence to internationally recognized worker rights in eligible sub-Saharan African countries.

(3) The Act has helped to bring about substantial increases in foreign investment in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the textile and apparel sectors, where tens of thousands of new jobs have been created.

(4) As a result of the Agreement on Textiles and Apparel of the World Trade Organization, under which quotas maintained by WTO member countries on textile and apparel products end on January 1, 2005, sub-Saharan Africa's textile and apparel industry will be severely challenged by countries whose industries are more developed and have greater capacity, economies of scale, and better infrastructure.

(5) The underdeveloped physical and financial infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa continues to discourage investment in the region.

(6) Regional integration establishes a foundation on which sub-Saharan African countries can coordinate and pursue policies grounded in African interests and history to achieve sustainable development.

(7) Expanded trade because of Act has improved fundamental economic conditions within sub-Saharan Africa. The Act has helped to create jobs in the poorest region of the world, and most sub-Saharan African countries have sought to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Act.

(8) Agricultural biotechnology holds promise for helping solve global food security and human health crises in Africa and, according to recent studies, has made contributions to the protection of the environment by reducing the application of pesticides, reducing soil erosion, and creating an environment more hospitable to wildlife.

(9)(A) One of the greatest challenges facing African countries continues to be the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has infected as many as one out of every four people in some countries, creating tremendous social, political, and economic costs. African countries need continued United States financial and technical assistance to combat this epidemic.

(B) More awareness and involvement by governments are necessary. Countries like Uganda, recognizing the threat of HIV/AIDS, have boldly attacked it through a combination of education, public awareness, enhanced medical infrastructure and resources, and greater access to medical treatment. An effective HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment strategy involves all of these steps.

(10) African countries continue to need trade capacity assistance to establish viable economic capacity, a well-grounded rule of law, and efficient government practices.

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

The Congress supports--

(1) a continued commitment to increase trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa and increase investment in sub-Saharan Africa to the benefit of workers, businesses, and farmers in the United States and in sub-Saharan Africa, including by developing innovative approaches to encourage development and investment in sub-Saharan Africa;

(2) a reduction of tariff and nontariff barriers and other obstacles to trade between the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the United States, with particular emphasis on reducing barriers to trade in emerging sectors of the economy that have the greatest potential for development;

(3) development of sub-Saharan Africa's physical and financial infrastructure;

(4) international efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, other infectious diseases, and serious public health problems;

(5) many of the aims of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), which include--

(A) reducing poverty and increasing economic growth;

(B) promoting peace, democracy, security, and human rights;

(C) promoting African integration by deepening linkages between African countries and by accelerating Africa's economic and political integration into the rest of the world;

(D) attracting investment, debt relief, and development assistance;

(E) promoting trade and economic diversification;

(F) broadening global market access for United States and African exports;

(G) improving transparency, good governance, and political accountability;

(H) expanding access to social services, education, and health services with a high priority given to addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, other infectious diseases, and other public health problems;

(I) promoting the role of women in social and economic development by reinforcing education and training and by assuring their participation in political and economic arenas; and

(J) building the capacity of governments in sub-Saharan Africa to set and enforce a legal framework, as well as to enforce the rule of law;

(6) negotiation of reciprocal trade agreements between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries, with the overall goal of expanding trade across all of sub-Saharan Africa;

(7) the President seeking to negotiate, with interested eligible sub-Saharan African countries, bilateral trade agreements that provide investment opportunities, in accordance with section 2102(b)(3) of the Trade Act of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3802(b)(3));

(8) efforts by the President to negotiate with the member countries of the Southern African Customs Union in order to provide the opportunity to deepen and make permanent the benefits of the Act while giving the United States access to the markets of these African countries for United States goods and services, by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, strengthening intellectual property protection, improving transparency, establishing general dispute settlement mechanisms, and investor-state and state-to-state dispute settlement mechanisms in investment;

(9) a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with the Southern African Customs Union, covering all products and sectors, in order to mature the economic relationship between sub-Saharan African countries and the United States and because such an agreement would deepen United States economic and political ties to the region, lend momentum to United States development efforts, encourage greater United States investment, and promote regional integration and economic growth;

(10) regional integration among sub-Saharan African countries and business partnerships between United States and African firms; and

(11) economic diversification in sub-Saharan African countries and expansion of trade beyond textiles and apparel.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON RECIPROCITY AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION.

It is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) the preferential market access opportunities for eligible sub-Saharan African countries will be complemented and enhanced if those countries are implementing actively and fully, consistent with any remaining applicable phase-in periods, their obligations under the World Trade Organization, including obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures, as well as the other agreements described in section 101(d) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3511(d));

(2) eligible sub-Saharan African countries should participate in and support mutual trade liberalization in ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade Organization, including by making reciprocal commitments with respect to improving market access for industrial and agricultural goods, and for services, recognizing that such commitments may need to reflect special and differential treatment for developing countries;

(3) some of the most pernicious trade barriers against exports by developing countries are the trade barriers maintained by other developing countries; therefore, eligible sub-Saharan African countries will benefit from the reduction of trade barriers in other developing countries, especially in developing countries that represent some of the greatest potential markets for African goods and services; and

(4) all countries should make sanitary and phytosanitary decisions on the basis of sound science.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON INTERPRETATION OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL PROVISIONS OF AGOA.

It is the sense of the Congress that the executive branch, particularly the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Commerce, should interpret, implement, and enforce the provisions of section 112 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, relating to preferential treatment of textile and apparel articles, broadly in order to expand trade by maximizing opportunities for imports of such articles from eligible sub-Saharan African countries.

SEC. 6. DEFINITION.

In this Act, the term `eligible sub-Saharan African country' means an eligible sub-Saharan African country under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

(a) Generalized System of Preferences- Section 506B of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2466b) is amended by striking `2008' and inserting `2015'.

(b) Apparel Articles- (1) Section 112(b)(1) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(1)) is amended by striking `(including' and inserting `or both (including'.

(2) Section 112(b)(3) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721 (b)(3)) is amended--

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(i) by striking `either in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries' each place it appears and inserting `in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, or both'; and

(ii) by striking `subject to the following:' and inserting `whether or not the apparel articles are also made from any of the fabrics, fabric components formed, or components knit-to-shape described in paragraph (1) or (2) (unless the apparel articles are made exclusively from any of the fabrics, fabric components formed, or components knit-to-shape described in paragraph (1) or (2)), subject to the following:'; and

(B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:

`(A) Limitations on benefits-

`(i) In general- Preferential treatment under this paragraph shall be extended in the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2003, and in each of the 11 succeeding 1-year periods, to imports of apparel articles in an amount not to exceed the applicable percentage of the aggregate square meter equivalents of all apparel articles imported into the United States in the preceding 12-month period for which data are available.

`(ii) Applicable percentage- For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `applicable percentage' means--

`(I) 4.747 percent for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2003, increased in each of the 5 succeeding 1-year periods by equal increments, so that for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2007, the applicable percentage does not exceed 7 percent; and

`(II) for each succeeding 1-year period until September 30, 2015, not to exceed 7 percent.

`(B) Special rule for lesser developed countries-

`(i) In general- Preferential treatment under this paragraph shall be extended though September 30, 2007, for apparel articles wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, or both, in one or more lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, regardless of the country of origin of the fabric or the yarn used to make such articles, in an amount not to exceed the applicable percentage of the aggregate square meter equivalents of all apparel articles imported into the United States in the preceding 12-month period for which data are available.

`(ii) Applicable percentage- For purposes of the subparagraph, the term `applicable percentage' means--

`(I) 2.3571 percent for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2003, the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2004, and the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2005; and

`(II) 1.17855 percent for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2006.

`(iii) Lesser developed beneficiary sub-saharan african country- For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country' means--

`(I) a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country that had a per capita gross national product of less than $1,500 in 1998, as measured by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development;

`(II) Botswana; and

`(III) Namibia.'.

(3) Section 112(b)(5)(A) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(5)(A)) is amended to read as follows:

`(A) In general- Apparel articles that are both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, to the extent that apparel articles of such fabrics or yarns would be eligible for preferential treatment, without regard to the source of the fabrics or yarns, under Annex 401 to the NAFTA.'.

(c) Handloomed, Handmade, Folklore Articles and Ethnic Printed Fabrics- Section 112(b)(6) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(6)) is amended to read as follows:

`(6) Handloomed, handmade, folklore articles and ethnic printed fabrics-

`(A) In general- A handloomed, handmade, folklore article or an ethnic printed fabric of a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country or countries that is certified as such by the competent authority of such beneficiary country or countries. For purposes of this section, the President, after consultation with the beneficiary sub-Saharan African country or countries concerned, shall determine which, if any, particular textile and apparel goods of the country (or countries) shall be treated as being handloomed, handmade, or folklore articles or an ethic printed fabric.

`(B) Requirements for ethnic printed fabric- Ethnic printed fabrics qualified under this paragraph are--

`(i) fabrics containing a selvedge on both edges, having a width of less than 50 inches, classifiable under subheading 5208.52.30 or 5208.52.40 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States;

`(ii) of the type that contains designs, symbols, and other characteristics of African prints--

`(I) normally produced for and sold on the indigenous African market; and

`(II) normally sold in Africa by the piece as opposed to being tailored into garments before being sold in indigenous African markets;

`(iii) printed, including waxed, in one or more eligible beneficiary sub-Saharan countries; and

`(iv) fabrics formed in the United States, from yarns formed in the United States, or from fabric formed in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African country from yarn originating in either the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.'.

(d) Regional and U.S. Sources- Section 112(b)(7) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(7)) is amended by inserting `or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries' after `and one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries' each place it appears.

(e) Special Rules-

(1) Collars and cuffs- Section 112(d) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(3) Collars and cuffs- An article otherwise eligible for preferential treatment under this section will not be ineligible for such treatment because the article contains any collars or cuffs (cut or knit-to-shape) that do not meet the requirements set forth in subsection (b), regardless of the country of origin of such collars or cuffs.'.

(2) De minimis rule- Section 112(d)(2) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(d)(2)) is amended by inserting `or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries' after `countries'.

(f) Definitions- Section 112(f) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(4) Former sub-saharan african country- The term `former sub-Saharan African country' mean a country that was designated as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country after the enactment of this Act, but thereafter ceased to be such a beneficiary sub-Saharan country by reason of its entering into a free trade agreement with the United States.'.

SEC. 8. ENTRIES OF CERTAIN APPAREL ARTICLES PURSUANT TO THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1514) or any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall liquidate or reliquidate as free of duty and free of any quantitative restrictions, limitations, or consultation levels entries of articles described in subsection (d) made on or after October 1, 2000, and before the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Requests- Liquidation or reliquidation may be made under subsection (a) with respect to an entry described in subsection (d) only if a request therefor is filed with the Secretary of the Treasury within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and the request contains sufficient information to enable the Secretary to locate the entry or reconstruct the entry if it cannot be located.

(c) Payment of Amounts Owed- Any amounts owed by the United States pursuant to the liquidation or reliquidation of any entry under subsection (a) shall be paid not later than 180 days after the date of such liquidation or reliquidation.

(d) Entries- The entries referred to in subsection (a) are entries of apparel articles that meet the requirements of section 112(b) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (as amended by section 3108 of the Trade Act of 2002 and this Act).

SEC. 9. DEVELOPMENT STUDY AND CAPACITY BUILDING.

(a) Reports- The President shall, by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, conduct a study on each eligible sub-Saharan African country, that--

(1) identifies sectors of the economy of that country with the greatest potential for growth, including through export sales;

(2) identifies barriers, both domestically and internationally, that are impeding growth in such sectors; and

(3) makes recommendations on how the United States Government and the private sector can provide technical assistance to that country to assist in dismantling such barriers and in promoting investment in such sectors.

(b) Dissemination of Information- The President shall disseminate information in each study conducted under subsection (a) to the appropriate United States agencies for the purpose of implementing recommendations on the provision of technical assistance and in identifying opportunities for United States investors, businesses, and farmers.

SEC. 10. ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT INCREASING TRADE CAPACITY AND ECOTOURISM.

(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:

(1) Ecotourism, which consists of--

(A) responsible and sustainable travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features, both past and present) and animals, including species that are rare or endangered,

(B) promotion of conservation and provision for beneficial involvement of local populations, and

(C) visitation designed to have low negative impact upon the environment,

is expected to expand 30 percent globally over the next decade.

(2) Ecotourism will increase trade capacity by sustaining otherwise unsustainable infrastructure, such as road, port, water, energy, and telecommunication development.

(3) According to the United States Department of State and the United Nations Environment Programme, sustainable tourism, such as ecotourism, can be an important part of the economic development of a region, especially a region with natural and cultural protected areas.

(4) Sub-Saharan Africa enjoys an international comparative advantage in ecotourism because it features extensive protected areas that host a variety of ecosystems and traditional cultures that are major attractions for nature-oriented tourism.

(5) National parks and reserves in sub-Saharan Africa should be considered a basis for regional development, involving communities living within and adjacent to them and, given their strong international recognition, provide an advantage in ecotourism marketing and promotion.

(6) Desert areas in sub-Saharan Africa represent complex ecotourism attractions, showcasing natural, geological, and archaeological features, and nomad and other cultures and traditions.

(7) Many natural zones in sub-Saharan Africa cross the political borders of several countries; therefore, transboundary cooperation is fundamental for all types of ecotourism development.

(8) The commercial viability of ecotourism is enhanced when small and medium enterprises, particularly microenterprises, successfully engage with the tourism industry in sub-Saharan Africa.

(9) Adequate capacity building is an essential component of ecotourism development if local communities are to be real stakeholders that can sustain an equitable approach to ecotourism management.

(10) Ecotourism needs to generate local community benefits by utilizing sub-Saharan Africa's natural heritage, parks, wildlife reserves, and other protected areas that can play a significant role in encouraging local economic development by sourcing food and other locally produced resources.

(b) Action by the President- The President shall develop and implement policies to--

(1) encourage the development of infrastructure projects that will help to increase trade capacity and a sustainable ecotourism industry in eligible sub-Saharan African countries;

(2) encourage and facilitate transboundary cooperation among sub-Saharan African countries in order to facilitate trade;

(3) encourage the provision of technical assistance to eligible sub-Saharan African countries to establish and sustain adequate trade capacity development; and

(4) encourage micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in eligible sub-Saharan African countries to participate in the ecotourism industry.

SEC. 11. ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY, AGRICULTURE, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:

(1) In order to increase exports from, and trade among, eligible sub-Saharan African countries, transportation systems in those countries must be improved to increase transport efficiencies and lower transport costs.

(2) Vibrant economic growth requires a developed telecommunication and energy infrastructure.

(3) Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in exportable agricultural goods, but development of this industry remains stymied because of an underdeveloped infrastructure.

(b) Action by the President- In order to enhance trade with Africa and to bring the benefits of trade to African countries, the President shall develop and implement policies to encourage investment in eligible sub-Saharan African countries, particularly with respect to the following:

(1) Infrastructure projects that support, in particular, development of land transport road and railroad networks and ports, and the continued upgrading and liberalization of the energy and telecommunications sectors.

(2) The establishment and expansion of modern information and communication technologies and practices to improve the ability of citizens to research and disseminate information relating to, among other things, the economy, education, trade, health, agriculture, the environment, and the media.

(3) Agriculture, particularly in processing and capacity enhancement.

SEC. 12. FACILITATION OF TRANSPORTATION.

In order to facilitate and increase trade flows between eligible sub-Saharan African countries and the United States, the President shall foster improved port-to-port and airport-to-airport relationships. These relationships should facilitate--

(1) increased coordination between customs services at ports and airports in the United States and such countries in order to reduce time in transit;

(2) interaction between customs and technical staff from ports and airports in the United States and such countries in order to increase efficiency and safety procedures and protocols relating to trade;

(3) coordination between chambers of commerce, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and others involved in consolidating and moving freight; and

(4) trade through air service between airports in the United States and such countries by increasing frequency and capacity.

SEC. 13. AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Identification of Countries- The President shall identify not fewer than 10 eligible sub-Saharan African countries as having the greatest potential to increase marketable exports of agricultural products to the United States and the greatest need for technical assistance, particularly with respect to pest risk assessments and complying with sanitary and phytosanitary rules of the United States.

(b) Personnel- The President shall assign at least 20 full-time personnel for the purpose of providing assistance to the countries identified under subsection (a) to ensure that exports of agricultural products from those countries meet the requirements of United States law.

SEC. 14. TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AFRICA.

The President shall convene the trade advisory committee on Africa established by Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975, under section 135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, in order to facilitate the goals and objectives of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and this Act, and to maintain ongoing discussions with African trade and agriculture ministries and private sector organizations on issues of mutual concern, including regional and international trade concerns and World Trade Organization issues.

END