Business Report By Leo Odera Omolo

East African Community(EAC) Member States earned about USD 470 million from exports to the united states last year, continuing stagnation that has seen twisfigures hover around USD 0.5 trillion mark for last for the past three year.
Figure released by the limited states International Trade Commission(USITC) in February shown an improvement in earning from export to us by each of the EAC Countries
EAC member are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
Despite the growth in earnings statistics indicate the region failed to take advantage of the vast opportunities offered under the Africa growth and opportunity offered under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act{Agoa}.
Agoa was launched by the US government in 2001 to enable Sub-Saharan African countries to get duty free and quote- free access to the USD 11 trillion American market . By last year 41 countries were benefiting from the initiatives.
However, with the economic crisis having hit the US and several countries across the globe, analysis now warn that earnings from exports to the US under Agoa are likely to shrink.

according to statistics recently published by UCITC the five countries increased their combined the five countries increased their combined earnings to USD 446.6 million from USD 412.6 million in2007 in 2006 in the complained total earnings for the five countries were USD 419.5.
Kenya East Africa buoyant economy once again ruled the rest in 2006 with a total annual export of USD 326 million in 2007. This however lower compared to 2006 earnings that hit USD 352.8 MILLION.
Kenya is due to host the 8th annual Agoa meeting this year. The meeting will bring together senior government officials and private sector executives from the US and Agoa eligible African countries.
Tanzania once again come distant second with its export earning USD 5.6 million a 16 per cent increase from 2007 Us 46.2 million.
Despite coming third, Uganda recorded the most improved performance of the five countries. Its earnings increased by over 100 per cent from USD 12.6 million in 2007 to USD 13.7 million in 2008.
In 2001 Rwanda exported goods to the US totally USD 8.9 Million.
But the of the indication of how the East African countries have failed to make the most of opportunities available under Agoa is the fact that the region countries combined performance was once again bettered by close to 20 per cent of the 41 countries aligible to benefit from Agoa.
Nigeria was once again the leading beneficiary across the leading beneficiary earning USD 38.2 million..
ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 06:43:46 -0700 [08:43:46 AM CDT]
From: Leo Odera Omolo

Subject: EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY MEMBER STATES TRADE WITH THE US UNDER AGOA STAGNATED THOUGH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVIN IS THERE/