THE United States Embassy expects Namibian exports through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to total more than US$100 million this year.
Speaking at the American Independence Celebrations in Windhoek on Friday, US Ambassador Kevin McGuire cited the increase in apparel products to his native country during the past two and a half years as one of the most notable achievements during his time in office. McGuire is due to leave Namibia in a fortnight.He noted that sales from Namibia to the United States had exceeded US$40 million last year.AGOA has helped attract US$300 million of outside investment and created 10 000 jobs in Namibia since 2001.The US Congress recently extended AGOA benefits to 2015.McGuire expressed the hope that negotiations between the US and the South African Customs Union (SACU) would lead to increased trade and investment opportunities for the region.McGuire also announced that US agencies intended to spend about US$38 million on HIV-AIDS programmes in Namibia during 2005.This year Namibia was one of only 15 countries to receive funding through President George W Bush’s Emergency Program for AIDS relief.Namibia will receive US$23 million this year for prevention, care and treatment programmes of the Ministry of Health and Social Services.This money is in addition to that received through the Global Fund on HIV-AIDS.Speaking on behalf of Government at the 228th commemoration of American Independence, Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana commended the US for handing over to an interim Iraqi Government.”However, Namibia deeply regrets the situation which has evolved in Iraq, the consequent loss of life on all sides, the disruption of life, the despondency of young lives…. and the inevitable human rights abuses which continue unabated under the circumstances,” she said.The US is set to dispatch its second female Ambassador to Namibia soon.McGuire is due to leave Namibia in a fortnight.He noted that sales from Namibia to the United States had exceeded US$40 million last year.AGOA has helped attract US$300 million of outside investment and created 10 000 jobs in Namibia since 2001.The US Congress recently extended AGOA benefits to 2015.McGuire expressed the hope that negotiations between the US and the South African Customs Union (SACU) would lead to increased trade and investment opportunities for the region.McGuire also announced that US agencies intended to spend about US$38 million on HIV-AIDS programmes in Namibia during 2005.This year Namibia was one of only 15 countries to receive funding through President George W Bush’s Emergency Program for AIDS relief.Namibia will receive US$23 million this year for prevention, care and treatment programmes of the Ministry of Health and Social Services.This money is in addition to that received through the Global Fund on HIV-AIDS.Speaking on behalf of Government at the 228th commemoration of American Independence, Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana commended the US for handing over to an interim Iraqi Government.”However, Namibia deeply regrets the situation which has evolved in Iraq, the consequent loss of life on all sides, the disruption of life, the despondency of young lives…. and the inevitable human rights abuses which continue unabated under the circumstances,” she said.The US is set to dispatch its second female Ambassador to Namibia soon.
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