Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(233-186) -
March 11, 1998(Key vote)
Title: African Growth bill
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that creates a new trade and investment policy for 48 Sub-Saharan African countries.
Highlights:
Bases eligibility for Sub-Saharan trade benefits on the country's progress toward creating a market-based economy, a country's human rights record, and the country's efforts to eliminate slavery, among other factors.
Establishes United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Free Trade Area.
Creates a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum.
Encourages the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to initiate equity funds in Sub-Saharan African countries.
Allows the President to provide duty-free treatment for some products from eligible countries.
Eliminates existing quotas on textiles and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius.
Increases punishment for exporters that engage in illegal transshipment of goods.