Remarks by Charge d'Affaires Troy Fitrell at launch of "Origin Africa"

Balaclava, March 17, 2011:

It gives me great pleasure to be with you today for the opening of the Origin Africa Fiber to Fashion Show and Conference 2011.  Trade and economic cooperation, as you know, provide two of the many important links between sub-Saharan Africa and the United States of America.  But first, allow me to congratulate the organizer of this event, the East and Central Africa Trade Hub of the U.S. Agency for International Development (or USAID), and its partners: the Mauritius Export Association, Enterprise Mauritius, and the African Cotton and Textile Industries Federation, for their outstanding commitment in staging such a major international conference.

Last year, in March, the USAID Trade Hub and Enterprise Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlined a three-year plan to increase Mauritian exports to the United States.  I am proud to note that the international event we celebrate today is one of the activities provided for in that Memorandum of Understanding.  As you may know, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA established Trade Hubs to provide technical assistance and trade capacity support to AGOA-beneficiary countries.  This event is just the beginning of the assistance and support we plan to provide.

The East and Central Africa Trade Hub, based in Kenya, is one of four regional hubs set up across Africa.  As Secretary Clinton stated at the 2010 AGOA Forum in Washington D.C., I quote: “AGOA was founded on the premise that export-driven growth would provide Africa with sustainable economic development and wider prosperity.  Today, we still believe in the value of exports, but we better understand that the development of domestic and regional markets is a necessary prerequisite to taking full advantage of global opportunities.”

Knowing some of the various stakeholders present here, I believe this forum presents opportunities for local and multinational businesses.  Origin Africa highlights the creativity and innovation of the African cotton, textile, and clothing industries, and will raise the profile of the continent as a supply source for all these products.  This event brings together business leaders and decision makers from 20 countries, providing opportunities for international buyers to establish contacts with African designers and industry, and to do business.

Looking at the various activities scheduled for these two-days – featuring seminars, buyers and sellers meetings, graphic design show, and an Africa Designer showcase – I have no doubt that this will be a unique opportunity to unlock Africa’s young designer talents, who are giving a new dimension and added value to Africa’s textile and apparel industry. 

I am glad to note that the Mauritian textile sector is already moving forward to become a fashion industry itself and can serve as a model for other nations.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce statistics, Mauritius has by far the highest value-to-volume ratio of all AGOA exporters.  This demonstrates the success of Mauritian efforts to move “up-market” by focusing on higher value-added products.  I hope this event will contribute to bring other countries on the path shown by Mauritius and I can assure you that, through our trade hubs, the U.S. Government will continue to provide assistance to help you in this endeavor.

I am happy to note that the timing of this conference coincides with a time when prospects in the textile and apparel sector at least in Mauritius look bright again. Indeed, 2010 was a turning point for the textile industry in Mauritius, with a 27% increase in exports of Mauritian apparel to the United States .  If one does not count Madagascar, which had some very specific circumstances, overall African textile and apparel exports to the U.S. under AGOA increased for the first time since the end of the Multi Fiber Arrangement in 2005. Given the orders already received by major apparel manufacturers in Mauritius, I have no doubt that 2011 will see a continued increase in the apparel exports to the U.S. market.

I understand the Fiber to Fashion Young Designer show scheduled for tomorrow is the culmination of the designer shows that were held by the Trade Hub in Kenya and Tanzania last year and in Mauritius just a couple of weeks ago.  Tomorrow night’s grand finale will highlight the talents of 14 designers selected from Africa featuring countries across Eastern and Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, and West Africa.  I understand the winner will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in the New York Fashion Show. 

This event – indeed, all of the USAID Trade Hub’s activities, would not be possible without the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  As you know, the 10th AGOA Forum will be held this year in my former home of Lusaka, Zambia from June six to eight.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk are expected to be among the 2,000 delegates from the United States of America and 37 eligible Sub-Saharan African countries to attend the Forum.  A business meeting, for the commercial sector, will precede the AGOA forum whose theme this year will be “Enhanced Trade Through Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.”  I strongly encourage Mauritius and other AGOA beneficiary countries to participate in the Forum.

I wish you all a productive conference and good luck to all participants, especially for tomorrow’s fashion and design show. 
Thank you for your attention.