Goals and benefits Enhance interdiction capabilities through training and assistance programs with the ultimate aim of dismantling the Major criminal organizations and illicit activities operating within the region; Deter the proliferation of small arms which pose a major threat to development, political and economic stability, civil liberties and human lives; Assist African nations in improving their air navigation services, aviation safety and airport security; Improve the process, procedures and performance of the agencies responsible for inspecting cargo and persons at the border; and Provide training to combat illegal textile transshipments

African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA)
On May 18, 2000, former President Clinton signed AGOA into law to promote trade and commerce between the U.S. and the countries that form sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA authorizes a new trade and investment policy for that region, expanding Generalized System of Preferences benefits to all imports from beneficiary countries, except certain products that are classified as import sensitive, through June 2008.

AGOA provides unlimited duty-free and quota-free access to U.S. markets for apparel made in eligible sub-Saharan African countries from wholly formed U.S. fabric, yarn, and thread. The Act also includes requirements for improved customs commercial enforcement for textile and apparel exports.

Thirty-five sub-Saharan African countries have been declared AGOA eligible. Of these, 29 have been ruled Lesser Developed Beneficiary Countries, meaning they will enjoy duty-free access to apparel made of fabrics from anywhere around the world until September 2004.

In accordance with responsibilities outlined in the Act, the Office of International Affairs, and other Customs offices, work to provide African nations with assistance that will enable them to take full advantage of the program's provisions.

"There are 35 designated beneficiaries, and we will be working with all of them to ensure they have the customs infrastructure required to be full participants in the duty-free trade made possible by AGOA," says Acting Assistant Commissioner Donald K. Shruhan, Office of International Affairs.

Efforts to provide technical assistance have already begun. Tentative plans are underway for two regional AGOA training symposia scheduled for early 2002. The symposia will cover the following topics: drafting of model legislation, visa system development, rules of origin application, and border enforcement. Training topics are comprised of legislation and visa system development, rules of origin application, and border enforcement. Other technical assistance will be provided in the area of illegal textile transshipment through the deployment of textile production verification teams and short-term advisory teams.

International Law Enforcement Academy - Botswana ILEA
ILEA Botswana was established in July 2000 following the signing of the bilateral agreement between the U.S. government and the government of Botswana to address the training needs of the sub-Saharan African region. The Academy supports emerging democracies within the region where they are located; helps protect U.S. interests through international cooperation; and promotes social, political, and economic stability by combating crime, particularly transnational crime. Its opening created the third ILEA academy, along with Budapest and Bangkok.

The Office of International Affairs role is to support ILEA training activity that has a Customs component. The benefits of U.S. Customs participation is to further regional cooperation in attacking transnational crimes, in particular drug trafficking, organized crime, alien smuggling, and financial crimes.

Safe Skies for Africa
"Safe Skies" is an U.S. government initiative to assist African nations in improving their air navigation services, aviation safety, and airport security. The United States government interagency teams evaluate "Safe Skies" participant airports by conducting assessments of the airport facilities, public accessibility, and physical construction to determine whether they pass internationally accepted safety and security standards. The African governments bear the primary responsibility for funding the improvements recommended by the evaluations.

The U.S. Customs Service conducts assessments and recommends airport security improvements in "Safe Skies" participant African nations. Customs reviews the passenger/employee screening and systems for checking documents and identifying fraudulent passports; conducts inspections to test the viability of smuggling contraband such as narcotics, firearms and explosives on board the aircraft and evaluates the airports in accordance with the "Customs Airport Security Directive." This directive currently applies to any U.S. airport, but it can also be used as a guideline in analyzing security measures for the "Safe Skies" program. Analysis of these airports seeks to identify security zones within the airports and determine the appropriate type of activity access allowable to each zone. Such a framework is invaluable in recommending procedures for screening passengers, personnel, and baggage.

Airport security assessments have been completed in Tanzania, Kenya, Cape Verde Namibia/Cameroon, Mali, and Angola.