Alassane Ouattara

President Barack Obama said Tuesday the United States would once again waive import duties on goods made in the Ivory Coast, Guinea and Niger after the countries held free and fair democratic elections.Obama issued a proclamation restoring benefits for the three countries under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was signed into law in 2000."Today's announcement is the result of rigorous review by the Obama Administration to determine whether Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Guinea, and Niger have made progress in meeting AGOA's eligibility criteria," Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement."We have seen progress in each of these countries, in conducting free and fair elections and taking other actions to promote democratic government and market-based economies."Congress established AGOA with the goal of expanding U.S. trade and investment with sub-Saharan Africa and stimulating economic growth in the region.The program, along with the Generalized System of Preferenc...

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