United States Supports Ethiopian Exports
Ethiopian Companies Excel at U.S. Trade Show

October 13, 2005
No. 46/05

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sponsored the participation of seven Ethiopian textile, garment, and handicraft companies at a major international trade show, the Apparel Sourcing Association Pavilion (ASAP), held in late August in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This support is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to support Ethiopian exports under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  During the ASAP show, international buyers showed strong interest in purchasing apparel and leather products made in Ethiopia. 

ASAP is the international apparel industry’s largest and most important sourcing show, bringing together buyers and exhibitors from all over the world.  Their presence at the ASAP show helped the Ethiopian companies attending to become more competitive internationally, allowing them to promote their products and exposing them to U.S. and international markets. 

“It was a great experience,” said one participant, Ato Araya Zerihun of Kebire Enterprises, PLC, “and highly productive for us.  This was our first time participating in such kind of an event.  We have already started communicating with several potential buyers; soon we will start supplying samples and price quotations.”

The total amount of orders discussed by participating Ethiopian companies at the ASAP show could reach $10 million, or over 86 million birr. American and other international buyers who visited with the Ethiopian companies were impressed with the products and the prices Ethiopian companies were able to offer.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has been in effect since 2000, offers tangible incentives for eligible African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets by providing duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 6,000 products.   Ethiopian exports under AGOA, though still small compared with some other AGOA eligible countries, are expected to increase significantly this year.  The U.S. and Ethiopian governments are working together, as partners, to help Ethiopian companies take greater advantage of AGOA.

“Programs such as this, that support Ethiopia’s private sector and the economic growth that it fuels, represent the future of our development partnership,” said Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy.  “We are proud to be working with companies here in Ethiopia and helping them take advantage of AGOA.  In doing so, we are helping Ethiopia take its place as an economic leader for the region and the continent.”

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