US lobby pushes for Kenya to be retained in fresh Agoa deal

International sports equipment firm, Adidas Group, said in its submission: “As a company that is committed to socially responsible practices and the protection of worker rights, the Adidas Group is writing to state its concern over the US Governments potential suspension of trade for Malagasy exports under Agoa,”

“ We believe this action will result in the down-sizing and possible closure of factories and this will lead to the widespread loss of employment for workers in the garment industry in that country. This could further destabilise an already fragile economy, one which has been seriously weakened by the global economic recession and the ongoing domestic political crisis,”

The private sector-driven, Africa Coalition for Trade (ACT) also rooted for Madagascar’s retention in the Agoa roll to ensure economic stability of the region.

“If Madagascar were to lose its Agoa eligibility, however, it would cause an economic crisis in Madagascar, in neighbouring countries and by US companies that answered Agoa’s call and invested in Madagascar,” it said in its submission.