African Growth and Opportunity Act HelpsWomen in Business Succeed
Ambassador Brazeal Hails Ethiopian Business, Entrepreneurship

August 19, 2005
No. 39/05

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – On Friday, August 19, U.S. Ambassador Aurelia E. Brazeal, along with Ethiopian government, business, and women’s advocacy leaders, visited the showroom and workshop of Addis Ababa’s Sara Garment Designers and Manufacturers.  Sara Garment is one of several Ethiopian businesses that have taken advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to expand its business to the U.S market.

Speaking during the visit, the Ambassador noted the importance of businesswomen to the American economy – 9.1 million women-owned businesses in the United States employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy.  Speaking of how women have the potential for impact in the African context as well, she said, “Women-owned companies such as Sara Garment Designers and Manufacturers create the employment opportunities and transfer of skills that are so essential to lift women out of poverty.”

U.S. support has benefited Sara Garments, as well as its founder, Sara Abera, in a variety of ways.  Sara herself participated in the International Visitors program, a highly competitive Department of State exchange program that takes promising young professionals from a wide range of fields for intensive, short-term study tours; Sara’s program looked at how entrepreneurship works in the U.S.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law on May 18, 2000 as Title 1 of The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets.

In July of 2005, Ethiopia was approved for “Category 9” provisions of the AGOA. Under Category 9, all hand-loomed fabrics, hand-loomed articles, handmade articles made from hand-loomed fabrics, and certain folklore articles from Ethiopia will be allowed preferential treatment.  Category 9 promotes the unique traditions that exist in Africa.  Companies such as Sara Garment have shown that Ethiopian companies can succeed in the U.S. marketplace; the Category 9 provisions of AGOA offer yet another mechanism for Ethiopia to realize the economic potential of its numerous skilled weavers and strong artisanal traditions.

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