Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan decided to fully ban imported second-hand clothes and shoes by 2019, arguing it would help member countries boost domestic clothes manufacturing.
No sooner had they announced this, than Donald Trump administration trade officials said 3 East African countries are violating eligibility terms for the US preferential trade programme for Africa.
“The stars are aligned” for such a ruling before the end of the year, said Washington based attorney Paul Ryberg, an expert on the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
During the Press Conference held with media yesterday , Minister of foreign Affairs and the Government spokesperson Louise Mushikiwabo said that Negotiations On Ban Of Second-hand Clothes Not Over.
She said:” The discussion continues, we haven’t concluded yet and we believe there is room to reach an understanding.”
Rwandan officials stated that the country will proceed with the ban on used clothes despite threats by the United States to review trade benefits to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Through local media ,they say that the country will choose to grow its local textile industry at the expense of being a member of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The Express News
