The Minister of Commerce, Idalina Valente, recognized the importance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in order to promote, diversify and increase the Angolan economic competitiveness and the performance of all the beneficiary countries.

Among the 40 African countries included in the AGOA, Angola is the second main exporter to the USA. The act ensures the exemption of customs taxes of 6400 product types to the USA.

The Minister said the AGOA is contributing to attract new foreign investments and to strengthen capacities, namely in such areas as research, marketing, infrastructures and technology transferences.

Idalina Valente also recognized that the relationship between the two countries improved a lot since 2002, when Angola was ready to benefit from AGOA.

In spite of the fact the oil is the more exported African product to the USA, AGOA has allowed a growth of exportation diverseness, now including products as fruits, chestnuts, preserves, leather, flowers, clothing, shoes and handicraft.

According to the AGOA competitiveness report, Angola exported an amount of products valued in 11,7 billions of dollars, of which 98%  was from oil.

Source: Jornal de Angola