Americans, Africans debate future of trade program

[June 10, 2011]  LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) -- Americans and Africans are debating the future of a program that links trade opportunities to with the U.S. to good government.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is to address the 10th annual forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as AGOA, later Friday in Zambia's capital.

Under AGOA, started in 2000, 37 countries that meet good government and business practice requirements can export thousands of products to the United States duty-free.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in Zambia that President Barrack Obama wants to continue AGOA when it expires in 2015, but is concerned it is underused.

Zambian President Rupiah Banda says Africans should "strengthen and entrench sound democratic practices and uphold good governance."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.