U.S., Rwanda begin trade enhancement talks

U.S., Rwanda begin trade enhancement talks    The Bush administration entered talks with the Rwandan government this week to start exploring ways to improve trade between the United States and the African country.
   This is the first meeting since the United States and Rwanda entered a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in June.
   During the meeting, U.S. trade representatives discussed:
   * The elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade.
   * Enhancing Rwanda’s use of opportunities available under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA).
   * Trade capacity building assistance.
   * Issues related to trade-oriented infrastructure.
   * Ways to improve U.S.-Rwanda investment.
   * The World Trade Organization’s Doha Round of global trade negotiations.
   At the meeting held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia announced that an AGOA National Workshop will be held in Rwanda in February to help Rwandan businesses make the most of AGOA-related export opportunities. He also highlighted two recent grants to Rwanda by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Development totaling $515,000 for energy-related projects.
   Rwanda has pressed for economic reforms since the country emerged from the 1994 genocide.
   Total trade between the United States and Rwanda was valued at $13.5 million in the first eight months of 2006, a 24 percent increase over the same period last year. U.S. exports to Rwanda during this period were valued at $9.6 million, increasing 29 percent, and U.S. imports from Rwanda were valued at $3.9 million, increasing by 13 percent, according to the USTR.
   In the past year, Rwandan companies, with help from USAID, have entered partnerships with U.S. retailers Macy’s and Starbucks for trade in fine baskets and specialty coffee.