Harvesting New Opportunities: Benin’s Farmers Rise to Meet the Demands of the Lucrative US Market
Benin Seeks to Boost Agricultural Exports to the US through AGOA
A three-day training focused on the African Growth and Economic Opportunity Act (AGOA) with a focus on agriculture opened on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in Cotonou.
The training aims to improve knowledge and practices to take advantage of the African Growth and Economic Opportunity Act, known as AGOA, which has allowed thousands of African products to access the American duty-free market since 2000.
“We must ensure that all sectors and stakeholders, especially in agriculture, can meet the standards and requirements of international markets,” stated Brian Shukan, Ambassador of the United States of America to Benin at the opening of the training.
Benin has been admitted to AGOA since 2004 and is working on its implementation through provisions and institutional reforms, according to the Minister of Industry and Trade.
The workshop will allow participants to share the benefits, standards, requirements, and procedures associated with access to the American market through AGOA, as well as reflect on trade policy reforms and government support to improve competitiveness and compliance with regulations.
By Ignace B. Fanou and Mark Mensah