Chairman Royce attends 15th annual AGOA forum at U.S. Department of State

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) is participating in the 15th annual AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) forum in Washington.  Mandated by Royce’s legislative initiative in 2000 to spur trade between the U.S. and countries in Africa that show a commitment to good governance and democratic principles, the forum will explore ways to deepen these critical trade and investment relationships.

Chairman Royce on the AGOA forum: “Moving our economic relationship with Africa away from aid and more to trade is in our national security interest.  Without question a stable and prosperous Africa benefits us all.

“I have been to the factories in Namibia, Swaziland, and Madagascar, and I have seen the benefits of AGOA first hand.  Africans aren’t the only ones benefiting from our growing trade relationship – we are also benefitting here in America. U.S. exports to Africa have increased by over 200 percent since AGOA started in 2000.  In a few years, Africa’s consumer spending is expected to reach $1 trillion dollars. That’s a massive untapped opportunity for U.S. business.

“I look forward to our group discussion about looking beyond AGOA and embracing policies – both economic and governance related – that will push the U.S.-Africa trade relationship into overdrive.”

NOTE: Earlier this month, the House passed Chairman Royce’s AGOA Enhancement Act of 2015 (H.R. 2845), which supports regional integration to spur greater trade between Africa and the United States.

###